The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of planning to cause violence ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the NPP’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, claimed the party has obtained ‘very reliable information and intelligence’ that the NDC plans to deploy operatives disguised as national security personnel to intimidate residents and voters.

Ahiagbah noted that the Ghana Police Service has committed to deploying over 5,000 officers to manage security, stressing that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has publicly stated there is no need for military involvement.

Despite this, he alleged that Richard Jakpa, the recently appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat was moving around the constituency with soldiers and issuing threats.

Akwatia By-Election: The history of NPP and NDC's 5-4 head-to-head

“We want to make it abundantly clear that any soldier involved in the Akwatia by-election will be dealt with as a thug. We are calling on the President to rein in Jakpa and prevent military interference in the polls,” he warned.

The allegations come amid heightened political tension in Akwatia, a constituency known for its swing-seat status and fiercely contested elections.

NDC Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, earlier this week, was captured on multiple-social media platforms addressing supporters on the campaign trail and cautioning against any attempt to intimidate voters.

“NDC is not a violent party, but on the 2nd of September, if anybody decides to come to the town or the voting grounds with violence, they will come, but they will not know how to leave,” Gbande noted.

He insisted that the NDC remained committed to peace but would not tolerate aggression against its supporters.

National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also weighed in on the matter, urging restraint from all sides while expressing confidence that the election could be conducted peacefully.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has reiterated its readiness to provide a safe and secure environment for voters on election day.

Akwatia by-election set for September 2

The by-election will see the NPP’s constituency treasurer, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, face off against the NDC’s constituency secretary, Bernard Bediako on September 2, 2025.

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