NDC demands increased security in Awutu Senya East ahead of elections
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Awutu Senya East has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, to deploy additional security personnel to the constituency ahead of the December 7 polls.
According to the NDC, this is to prevent a repeat of the violence witnessed during the 2020 elections at the Steps to Christ Registration Centre.
In 2020, violence erupted at the centre when armed individuals fired into the crowd, leaving one person with gunshot wounds.
Addressing the media on Saturday, November 30, the NDC Youth Organiser for the constituency, Nash Nyande Adams, disclosed that the party has gathered intelligence suggesting that some individuals involved in the 2020 disturbances have returned to the constituency just days before the elections.
Adams warned that the likelihood of chaos is high and called for proactive measures to maintain peace.
He also appealed for increased vigilance by law enforcement agencies at polling stations to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure votes are counted transparently, without interference.
“We have picked up intelligence that individuals who fired gunshots into the crowd at the Steps to Christ Centre that led to one person sustaining injuries during the 2020 elections are in the constituency a few days before the elections. We want the IGP Dr George Akuffo Dampare to take up the matter since we don’t want a repeat of the 2020 incident.
“The IGP must act swiftly and decisively in the face of this mounting threat. This intelligence must not be treated with indifference. It must be acted upon before this dangerous plot unfolds.
“As NDC members in Awutu Senya East, we stand ready to ensure that the will of the people is not trampled upon. Let it be known that if the police fail to protect us, we will stand ready to protect ourselves and our members,” he said.
Additionally, the Constituency Youth Organiser raised concerns over the ongoing destruction of campaign materials belonging to the party’s parliamentary candidate, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunnor.
According to him, the party has on several occasions reported the matter to the police but has not seen any arrests being made.
“We want the IGP to immediately deploy a dedicated task force to the constituency to investigate and arrest individuals involved in the wanton destruction of NDC billboards and posters as well as those who sponsor these criminal acts.
“Failure on the part of law enforcement agencies to act will further embolden these individuals to continue. As NDC, we will no longer tolerate this glaring impunity,” the constituency youth organiser said.