Africa-Press – Ghana. Ahead of the September 2, Parliamentary by-election in Akwatia, the National Peace Council has called for calm.
The Council having engaged the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Ghana Police Service and the Electoral Commission (EC) on recent by-elections, conveys the assurance to the Ghanaian public that the Akwatia by-election slated for 2nd September, was anticipated to be peaceful.
A statement issued by the National Peace Council, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said given these assurances and the commitment of the leadership of the Political Parties, the Ghana Police Service and Electoral Commission to peace before, during and after the polls, the National Peace Council further encouraged all stakeholders, particularly the two main contesting political parties, the NDC and the NPP to ensure that the peace and security of Akwatia and the country in general was not compromised.
The National Peace Council called on the parties to avoid the use of “machomen” and politically affiliated vigilantes, reminding them of the dire consequences of imprisonment under the vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 2019).
It noted that the NPC was intensifying strategic engagements and public sensitisation in the Akwatia Constituency until the 1st of September 2025 to ensure the political parties, the electorate and any institutions that had roles to play in the by-election operated within the rules and regulations governing peaceful conduct of elections in the country.
The National Peace Council commended the prosecution of the eight suspects in the disturbance during the Ablekuma North re-run.
It noted that it showed the state’s commitment to ensuring law and order in the nation’s electoral process.
“To this end, we entreat all parties to corporate with the security and EC to ensure a peaceful exercise in Akwatia,” the statement said.
The statement said since democratic elections had come to stay as the means of selecting leaders, the onus was on every citizen and particularly, the electorates and parties contesting the Akwatia Constituency by-election to continue working together to jealously guard the nation’s democracy and build on lessons from past experiences to improve upon future elections.
It said the National Peace Council called for calm in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba (S.T.K.) District in the Savannah Region.
The statement said further, the NPC was concerned about recent clashes which resulted in the loss of human lives at Gbenyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savanah Region and Sene Dindee in the Upper West Region.
“We condemn the killings and call for calm as the security and the peace actors manage the situation,” it stated.
The statement said the Council also called on all factions to give peace a chance by cooperating with the State security agencies.
“We, especially, appeal to the Ovelord of the Gonja Kingdom, the Gonjaland Youth Association, the Brifor Youth Association, the leaders of the Brifor/Lobis to exercise maximum restraint in these difficult situations,” the statement said.
“We want to assure the public and the good people of the Savannah Region; the National Peace Council is collaborating with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to find a lasting solution to the impasse.”
The statement said the Council finally commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr Christian Yohuno for the swift actions the Police had taken in the matter and his personnel intervention in the area, that had brought calm to the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba area.
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