Governance expert and public financial management specialist Dr Eric Oduro Osae has called for calm and responsible conduct from political parties, voters, and security agencies as the Akwatia by-election enters its final stages.

Dr Osae commended both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the relative peace maintained so far, urging them to sustain that posture until voting concludes and results are declared.

“I think that so far, so good. I would congratulate both parties and I will urge them to maintain peace as we go into the last hours of the voting,” he said.

Dr Osae emphasised the importance of upholding democratic values, warning that the eyes of the international community are firmly fixed on Ghana.

“The most important thing about an election is that you allow the counting to take place, and the winner is declared. What we should know is that the whole world is watching us; everybody’s eyes are on Ghana. As a country, we should be able to deepen our democracy. This is just a by-election in one constituency, so let us comport ourselves well and let peace prevail.”

He also urged security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure that law and order are maintained throughout the process.

“Voters must know that once you sell your vote, you have sold your conscience. Once the person wins, the person has every right not to come back to you. That is not the meaning of democracy,” he cautioned.

Dr Oduro Osae stressed that the true purpose of democratic participation is not just about voting but about electing leaders who can be held to account.

“Democracy is about getting the person to represent you so you can hold the person accountable. So those who are collecting money, remember: you are selling your future. The person may never get back to you.”