Police Planning Officer at the UN Mission Support for Justice Reform, ACP Dr Benjamin Agordzo has expressed concerns about the preparedness of Ghana’s current police administration and National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) ahead of the December 7 elections.

Speaking at a GIMPA Law Students Association Peace Through Democracy forum on Wednesday, he described the task force as “untried and untested” for a national election.

“So far as I’m concerned, this police administration and NESTF have not been tested when it comes to national elections,” he stated.

While acknowledging recent successes, such as the Assin North by-election, Dr Agordzo cautioned that national elections are a different challenge altogether.

“We cannot assume that the strategies used in by-elections will work at scale. We need to prepare rigorously,” he said.

He also criticized the lack of regular communication from the NESTF. “The IGP alone cannot carry the burden of public communication.

"Regional and district commanders must also step forward to engage the media and communities,” he advised.

Reflecting on past successes, Dr. Agordzo underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement and trust-building.

“In 2016, we engaged all stakeholders—political parties, youth groups, religious bodies, and more—well in advance. This built confidence and clarified expectations. Are we doing the same now?” he questioned.

He further called for a revision of the Representation of the People’s Law, specifically Section 42, which requires the Attorney General’s consent for election-related prosecutions.

“This law perpetuates impunity because the Attorney General is unlikely to prosecute their own people. This must change,” he argued.

Dr. Agordzo concluded with a stark warning about public sentiment.

“Citizens are more aware and poised to stand up to threats this time. If we fail to prepare adequately, the consequences could be dire,” he cautioned.