Accra: Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah has urged electorates and citizens to fully cooperate with the police amid violence at the Ablekuma North re-run election. He emphasised the professionalism of the Ghana Police Service, stating that their measured response should not be mistaken for ineffectiveness nor warrant military intervention.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Omane Boamah remarked, “The Military shouldn’t be the first point of call. This cannot be the democracy under President John Dramani Mahama. So let’s give the police the maximum cooperation,” following incidents at the Odorkor Methodist JHS polling station, one of 19 centres participating in the re-run to elect a Member of Parliament for the constituency.
Dr. Boamah stressed that the military should only be involved when absolutely necessary to restore order, citing past incidents such as Ayawaso West Wuogon and the 2020 elections where eight Ghanaians lost their lives. He described the broader electoral process as smooth, stating, “So far, so good. And trust that they will do it, they are capable.”
Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, also condemned electoral violence. He urged that elections should not be marred by conflict or retaliation, emphasizing the need to move beyond violence that is associated with election day.
Rev. Fordjour called for greater voter turnout, encouraging those who had not yet voted to participate, and highlighted discussions and assurances that had been made to ensure peaceful conditions at all polling centres.
The re-run is a result of an unresolved outcome in the 2024 general elections, with the contest featuring Ewurabena Aubynn of the National Democratic Congress and Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.