The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Dr. George Amoh, has expressed confidence in security preparations ahead of the Akwatia by-election.

Speaking on Prime Morning, News Flash, Dr. Amoh praised the work of the security agencies after meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his team.

“So far, the police are doing extremely well in terms of preparation. We paid a working visit to the IGP and his team, and we realized that they are well prepared—probably more than ever—for this by-election. Their preparation was also confirmed by the Electoral Commission,” he said.

He added that the Electoral Commission has assured close collaboration with the police to avoid a repeat of the challenges seen in previous elections.

“The Electoral Commission indicated that they are working closely with the police and everything is set. It leaves no doubt in our minds that the security this time round will not be like what we witnessed in Ablekuma North. We are going to see improved security not only at the polling stations but across the entire Akwatia constituency,” he noted.

Dr. Amoh admitted that elections often come with some level of conflict, but stressed that proper arrangements are in place to prevent escalation.

“In elections, we should all accept that they will not pass without any hitch. A conflict dynamic may arise, and we should appreciate that. That is why the police must be on the ground to deal with any issue that could lead to violence,” he explained.

On the Peace Council’s own role, Dr. Amoh said mechanisms have been activated to ensure peace before and after the polls.

“We have put in place our usual mechanisms to ensure we do not slip. We had engagements with the police administration, with political parties—the NDC leadership on July 29 and the NPP on July 30—then followed up with the IGP and the Electoral Commission,” he revealed.

He added that the Council’s regional office in the Eastern Region is already active in the constituency.

“Our regional peace council members—13 plus secretariat officers—are already in Akwatia and the surrounding areas. As of yesterday, they were engaging the youth, religious leaders, and traditional authorities to ensure peace before and after the declaration of results,” he said.

Dr. Amoh also highlighted efforts to build trust between the political parties.

“We have scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the NDC and NPP this afternoon. This is geared towards curing mistrust. As you know, there has been a trust deficit among the political parties. That is why we set up a platform to bring them together from time to time so they can build consensus. We are confident that this time, we will see a different story during the declaration of results,” he concluded.