Africa-Press – Ghana. 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.
“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,” he told the media 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.
“It’s a civic exercise and the military shouldn’t get involved unless it’s abundantly clear that the military is needed to restore order… What we experienced in Ayawaso West Wuogon, what we experienced in the year 2020 where eight Ghanaians were killed should not repeat itself,” Dr. Boamah noted.
He described the broader electoral process as smooth, adding: “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, saying, “It shouldn’t be full of rancour, full of violence, I mean, reprisal… We need to move beyond violence that is associated with the election day,” he said.
Urging greater voter turnout, Rev. Fordjour remarked that individuals who had’nt voted should be motivated to do so, adding that discussions and assurances had been made to ensure peaceful conditions at all polling centres.
The re-run follows an unresolved outcome in the 2024 general elections, with the contest currently featuring Ewurabena Aubynn of the National Democratic Congress.
Congress and Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.
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