Associate Professor in International Trade and Director of the Trade Growth Network, Prof Evans Akwasi Gyasi, has raised concerns over the Ghana Police Service’s decision to deploy 5,000 officers for the upcoming Akwatia by-election.

Prof Gyasi described the figure as excessive, insisting that elections should be free, fair, and devoid of violence.

“I like the fact that the Ghana Police Service has given us the firm assurance that in the unlikely event that any destruction happens, they are well prepared. But why should we deploy 5,000 people? Are we in a war front?” he asked in an interview reported by adomonline.com on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

He drew comparisons with elections in the United Kingdom, where he resides, noting that voting is conducted without heavy security presence.

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“In the UK, when we are voting, nobody campaigns, nobody raises billboards. You just go, cast your vote and leave we don’t care who sees you,” he indicated.

The academic questioned why a parliamentary election should generate threats of violence, stressing that elections are simply an avenue for citizens to choose their leaders.

“Why should we kill ourselves because of one seat in parliament? Ghana is neither for the NDC nor NPP; it is for Ghanaians. Until we come to that understanding, we will continue to live in fear during elections,” he said.

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Prof Gyasi urged political actors and citizens to embrace peace and unity as the by-election approaches.

MRA/EB

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