Amid rising tensions ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the National Peace Council to take a more active role in curbing political violence and promoting calm in Ghana’s electoral landscape.
During a meeting at the NPP headquarters in Asylum Down with members of the newly constituted Governing Board of the Peace Council, NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), voiced concerns over what the party describes as an “alarming deterioration in security” around recent and upcoming electoral events.
Citing the violence-riddled Ablekuma North re-run as a worrying example, Nana B urged the Peace Council not to adopt a “spectator” posture but to engage swiftly and firmly to avert potential unrest, particularly in politically sensitive areas like Akwatia.
“The Peace Council must be proactive,” he stressed. “Remaining silent or inactive during critical moments risks fueling further political violence.”
While Nana B reiterated the NPP’s unwavering commitment to peaceful electoral processes, he also emphasized that the party would not sit idly if attacked, especially by opposition actors. “We will not initiate violence in Akwatia,” he stated, “but we will defend ourselves and fully confront any aggression from the NDC.”
The NPP’s appeal comes at a time of heightened political friction, with the Akwatia by-election drawing increased attention from both major parties and security observers. The party’s leadership is pushing for greater collaboration between political actors and state institutions to maintain law and order during the electoral period.
Observers see the NPP’s engagement with the Peace Council as a strategic move to place early accountability on all stakeholders, potentially setting the stage for a more closely monitored and policed by-election in Akwatia.
