Akwatia By-Election: NPP Alerts on Impostors in Police Uniforms

The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has raised concerns about a potential scheme to infiltrate the upcoming Akwatia by-election on Tuesday with individuals masquerading as police officers.

In an interview with Channel One TV on Sunday, 31 August, he revealed that intelligence obtained by the party indicated that certain unidentified individuals, reportedly from the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, were intending to don police uniforms to commit illegal activities during the election.

“Security is not merely about men in uniform. I have reason to put out some of the information we are picking up and believe the police should act upon — that certain hoodlums from Greater Accra and Ashanti are preparing to wear police uniforms and undertake illegal operations. This has come to our attention, and we are drawing the police’s notice to it,” Mr Mustapha stated.

He urged the Ghana Police Service to make certain that all officers assigned to election duty are easily recognizable by their uniforms and name tags, and that none should cover their faces.

“At our meeting with the police, we indicated that we expect the usual professional standards — uniforms with visible name tags, and no officers in masks. Therefore, on Tuesday, any masked officer we encounter will not be regarded as a professional or legitimate police officer,” he cautioned.

He emphasized the urgent need for the police to act quickly to prevent infiltration and to protect the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

The Akwatia by-election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.,