Greater Accra Regional Peace Council Engages Stakeholders Ahead of Ayawaso East By-Election

The Greater Accra Regional Peace Council (GARPC), in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), organized a preventive stakeholder engagement in the Ayawaso East Constituency ahead of the March 3, 2026 by-election.

The programme was held on Tuesday, 17th February 2026 at the Community Youth Cultural Centre, Kawukudi-Nima, and brought together political actors, security agencies, electoral officials, religious and traditional authorities, and youth groups to promote peace before, during, and after the by-election.

Objectives of the Intervention

The engagement sought to:

  • Decrease the prevalence of electoral violence through proactive stakeholder dialogue

  • Create a neutral platform for stakeholders to commit to peaceful conduct

  • Encourage political tolerance, patriotism, and peaceful coexistence

  • Reinforce the duty of security services to maintain law and order

  • Increase awareness of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), and the risks of violent extremism and radicalization

Key Highlights from the Engagement

Rt. Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, Chairman of GARPC, emphasized the importance of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) as a forum for consensus building, inclusivity, and democratic reform. He described the IPDC as a critical early warning and response mechanism that facilitates open communication between political parties to prevent conflict escalation.

He reiterated that by-elections are an integral part of Ghana’s parliamentary democracy and that exercising one’s democratic right should never result in violence. He urged stakeholders to rely on dialogue and mediation to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process.

Victoria Yakubu, Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, explained the dynamics of by-elections, noting that their constituency-focused nature often leads to intensified political activity and heightened tensions. She encouraged collaboration between political parties and the Commission to reduce misunderstandings and advised party agents to use appropriate grievance channels at polling stations.

Gloria A. Kudo, Deputy Regional Director of the NCCE, underscored the constitutional mandate of the Electoral Commission as the sole body authorized to conduct and declare election results. She cautioned against unofficial result declarations and stressed the importance of responsible media reporting in safeguarding national stability.

ASP Ansong Ayrakwa of the Ghana Police Service outlined comprehensive security measures put in place to ensure a safe electoral environment. He assured participants of the Police Service’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to guarantee free, fair, transparent, and violence-free elections.

Henry Attoh Okai, Ag. Regional Executive Secretary, screened the “Dinner for Two” video to highlight the destructive consequences of conflict, including loss of life and economic disruption. He emphasized dialogue and mediation as the most effective tools for achieving peaceful coexistence and unity.

Expected Outcomes

The intervention aimed to:

  • Strengthen resilience against electoral violence and vigilantism

  • Foster patriotism and renewed commitment to peace

  • Enhance youth awareness of electoral violence prevention and management

  • Promote political tolerance and lawful conduct

  • Increase public understanding of Act 999 and its legal consequences

Participation

The programme brought together representatives from the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, the National Commission for Civic Education (Regional Office), the Electoral Commission, security agencies, and religious and traditional authorities.

The engagement reaffirmed a collective commitment to safeguarding democracy and ensuring a peaceful, credible by-election in Ayawaso East.