‘DO NOT SPARE THE ROD’ – Interior Minister Orders Prosecution Over Ayawaso West Wuogon And Ablekuma North Election Violence
Mr. Mubarak Muntaka Mohammed, the Minister for the Interior, has directed the Ghana Police Service to start legal actions against those implicated in violent occurrences during the 2020 and 2024 general elections, along with recent by-elections.
On Friday, July 18, 2025, he issued the instruction during the 17th Regional Commanders’ Conference taking place in Accra.
Mr. Muntaka cautioned that postponements in handling electoral violence cases might undermine public trust in Ghana’s democratic system.
“Our expectation, Mr IGP, is nothing short of seeing you start prosecution of these cases soon,” he told the Inspector General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
Mr. Muntaka stated that inquiries into various incidents were well underway. He encouraged the Police Service to collaborate closely with the Office of the Attorney General to speed up the legal procedures.
“I have seen your report. In some of the cases, you’ve gone far. You are on the verge of prosecution. If there’s anything we need to do with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, let’s do it and see people being prosecuted,” he said.
He remembered aggressive incidents that took place during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun and mentioned the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019, where masked persons thought to be national security agents attacked voters and interfered with the electoral process.
“Just as we assured citizens in Ablekuma North, the party leadership is fully with you. Do not spare the rod. Go through the videos, identify the perpetrators,” Mr Muntaka said. “Let us prove to the world that we are ready to prevent violence from becoming a feature of our elections.”
As the Akwatia by-election nears due to the recent passing of the current Member of Parliament, the Minister requested increased police preparedness to prevent any disruptions.
“We must make sure our personnel are not only deployed in good numbers but are properly briefed and equipped to prevent and contain any election-related violence,” he added.
NKONKONSA.com
