Ahead of the much-anticipated by-election in the Akwatia Constituency, two civil society organisations, the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) have issued a joint call for calm, urging all stakeholders to prioritise peace, transparency, and national unity during the electoral process.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the organisations expressed concern over Ghana’s history of violent by-elections, warning that Akwatia could follow a similar path if proactive steps are not taken. They cited previous incidents involving intimidation, vigilantism, attacks on journalists, and electoral misinformation that have stained the country’s democratic image.
“Already, voices on social media portend a by-election that may not turn out to be peaceful,” the statement noted. “These acts tarnish Ghana’s image as a peaceful and stable democracy in Africa and flagrantly violate the nation’s deeply held values of neighbourliness and communal security.”
IDEG and CFI commended the Ghana Police Service under Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for swift action in the Ablekuma-North re-run where eight individuals involved in election-related violence were arrested and prosecuted.
“This sets a strong precedent against electoral violence,” the release said, while urging the police to extend similar rigor in Akwatia by blocking weapons inflow, protecting media personnel, and upholding zero tolerance for violence and impunity.
The statement also called on the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure their members uphold peace throughout the by-election period.
“They must prevent the bussing of supporters across the regions into Akwatia, limit large gatherings of party officials without direct roles at polling stations, and uphold democratic responsibility,” it said.
Media houses were urged to avoid sensational or inflammatory coverage and stick to objective, fact-based reporting. Similarly, civil society groups were encouraged to monitor the process and ensure their commentary is based only on verified information.
Concluding the statement, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ansah, Vice Chairperson of CFI, and Mr. Kwesi Jonah, Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations at IDEG, prayed for a peaceful, free, and fair by-election that upholds the values of Ghana’s democracy.
The Akwatia by-election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and has already drawn national attention due to the constituency’s swing status and past electoral tensions.
