We’re Heavily Deploying to Akwatia to Deter Violence—IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has warned any thugs planning violence in Akwatia to reconsider their plans.

Speaking with UTV Ghana, he said the police service is heavily deploying multiple teams to the constituency ahead of the by-elections to ensure they go off without a hitch.

“We have sent men to Akwatia. We are preparing to deploy heavily, so anybody who thinks that he can come to Akwatia and come for trouble should advise himself or herself. Because we will not countenance any act of violence in Akwatia,” he said.

“The police will be swift in arrest. We will do it very swiftly; before even you hear, we have already put you somewhere. So we are giving that assurance that Akwatia will be violence-free.”

The IGP said they have also made arrests in the Ablekuma North rerun violence after he gave the Greater Accra Regional Commander an ultimatum to arrest the perpetrators or be removed from his position.

“So as at today, a few suspects have been arrested. We have made some arrests. And others are willing now to come themselves and surrender. So between now and Monday, we can get all those people who got themselves involved in these disturbances, and we’ll process them for court,” he said.

Listen to the video of the IGP below.

Analysis of the IGP’s Akwatia pledge

IGP Yohuno’s pledge for violence-free Akwatia elections sounds perfect in theory, but their actions on the ground would determine if it comes to fruition.

The problem in Ablekuma North was not a lack of police presence but the unwillingness to take action in many instances against politically connected thugs.

Akwatia would be a real test of IGP Yohuno’s leadership qualities, especially after coming out so boldly to guarantee a violence free election.

As the Electoral Commission has already set a September 2nd date for the election, we don’t have long to wait to see how this turns out in practice.