Ghana Police Arrest 88 Persons allegedly Recruited For Election Security

As Ghana prepares for the December 7 elections, the Ghana Police Service has arrested 88 individuals allegedly recruited to provide unauthorized security at polling stations. The suspects, comprising 86 men and two women, were intercepted on December 3, 2024, at Benchema near Asawinso in the Western North Region. They were traveling on two Metro Mass Transit buses when they were apprehended.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had been recruited from various locations in the Greater Accra Region, including Adenta, Oyarifa, and Madina. The suspects claimed they were hired to provide security during the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. The group was allegedly recruited by a man known only as Sammy.

All the suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations. The police are also working to locate the recruiter, Sammy, to uncover the full extent of the unauthorized security arrangements.

This incident comes in the wake of a strong warning from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chairman of the National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. The IGP had previously emphasized that only state security personnel are authorized to maintain security during the elections. He assured the public of the police service’s readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process, urging voters to cast their ballots with confidence.