The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has called on the Ghana Police Service to ensure a peaceful Akwatia by-election through adequate preparation.

“As we are preparing for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia, I charge this conference to take a hard look at our electoral preparedness,” he stated.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak was addressing the Regional Police Commanders’ Conference, which brought together senior officers and members of the Police Management Board (POMAB).

“We must ensure that our personnel are not only deployed in sufficient numbers but are adequately briefed and equipped with the needed resources to prevent and contain election-related violence,” he said.

He urged the police to engage closely with the Electoral Commission, community leaders, and civil society actors to develop “context-sensitive strategies that will enhance confidence in the electoral process.”

The Minister advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to establish a dedicated Electoral Security Monitoring Task Force for the Akwatia by-election, stressing the need to improve upon past electoral shortcomings.

“Let us seize this opportunity to redeem the lapses of the past and strengthen the legacy of Ghanaian democracy,” he said.

Commending the Police Service’s role in combating illegal mining, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak praised the IGP, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and his team for their efforts.

“Let me congratulate the IGP, Ghana Police Service for their tireless and courageous efforts in confronting one of the gravest threats to our environment and national stability; illegal mining otherwise referred to as ‘galamsey’,” he said.

“Your unrelenting drive to dismantle this destructive menace and your deep commitment to inter-agency collaboration are commendable.

“You have demonstrated that the Ghana Police Service is not only an enforcer of the law but also a custodian of the national interest,” he added.

The Minister urged national support for the fight against illegal mining, noting, “We must all support this effort with seriousness, resolve it as it deserves because posterity will not forgive us if we fail in this sacred responsibility.”

Mr Yohuno highlighted the importance of the conference in evaluating progress and addressing strategic challenges.

“Through POMAB meetings, the institution aimed to promote peace and stability and to reinforce government's strategy framework.

“I am pleased to report that our collective efforts have yielded tangible results in the police service,” he said.