The NPP says it has credible information on the NDC using soldiers to intimidate voters
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned that it will treat any military personnel interfering in the upcoming Akwatia by-election as thugs.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, NPP Director of Communications Richard Ahiagbah raised concerns over alleged plans by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to deploy national security operatives to intimidate voters.
He claimed the party had credible intelligence suggesting that the NDC intends to “hide behind the guise of national security to terrorise some residents and voters in Akwatia.”
Ahiagbah alleged that Richard Jakpa, recently appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat, had been sighted in Akwatia with soldiers, threatening residents to leave the town ahead of the by-election.
“Richard Jakpa has reportedly been perambulating Akwatia with soldiers, threatening some indigenes and residents to leave the town before the by-election in their own interest,” Ahiagbah stated.
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He stressed that the Ghana Police Service, with a planned deployment of 5,000 officers, is adequately prepared to maintain law and order during the by-election without the involvement of the military, as confirmed by the Inspector General of Police.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that any soldier involved in the Akwatia by-election will be considered and dealt with as a thug,” he warned.
The NPP also called on President John Dramani Mahama, as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to restrain Jakpa and ensure the military does not interfere in the electoral process.
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“We urge the President, under whose watch national security falls, to call Richard Jakpa to order and ensure that no soldier meddles in the Akwatia by-election,” Ahiagbah said.
Tensions are running high ahead of the September 2, 2025, Akwatia by-election, which was triggered by the death of sitting Member of Parliament Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Both the NPP and the NDC have traded accusations of voter intimidation. NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande has also warned that any acts of violence will be met with equal resistance.
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