Gbande warns of “equal resistance” to violence at Akwatia By-Election

Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has cautioned that the party will resist any form of violence during the upcoming Akwatia by-election, warning that intimidation will not be allowed to derail the democratic process.

Speaking to supporters on the campaign trail in Akwatia on Wednesday, 27 August, Gbande reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to peace but stressed that the party would not stand idle if provoked on election day.

“We won’t bring violence here. NDC is not a violent party, but on the 2nd of September, if anybody decides to come to the town or the voting grounds with violence, they will come, but they will not know how to leave. Violence begets violence,” he cautioned.

He urged supporters to remain disciplined and focused on rallying support for the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, Bernard Bediako, adding that victory would depend on hard work, vigilance, and mobilising voters in large numbers.

“Let us go in our numbers to conduct thorough work. Let us encourage the people to vote for our candidate. We can’t win this election if we don’t go out to work. Let us be encouraged,” he charged.

Separately, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah assured the public that the party is committed to a peaceful electoral process and expects the by-election to be conducted fairly.

The Akwatia by-election, scheduled for Tuesday, 2 September, has attracted national attention as the constituency is regarded as a swing seat. The contest will see the NDC’s Bernard Bediako face off against the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) constituency treasurer, Solomon Kwame Asumadu.

To ensure calm, the Ghana Police Service has announced the deployment of more than 600 officers to the constituency. The officers, some of whom recently completed an intensive five-day training exercise, will be tasked with safeguarding law and order before, during, and after the polls.

With both major parties locked in a high-stakes battle, security agencies and election observers will be closely monitoring developments to ensure the will of the people prevails.