The Ghana Police Service has denied claims that one of its officers who was involved in an infraction during the Ablekuma North by-election is facing dismissal.

The Police issued a statement after monitoring reports in sections of the media making false claims.

"We wish to note that no such decision has been made," the Police stated, while explaining that "the internal disciplinary procedures of the Ghana Police Service is a quasi-judicial process, the outcome of which can therefore not be pre-determined."

According to the Service, there are rules that make provision for multiple sanctions/penalties in the event of misconduct involving an officer, and a decision as to what sanction should apply, if any, is made on a case-by-case basis and dependent on the disciplinary trial.

"We would like to once again assure the public that the Police Service will continue to follow the due process of the law to ensure justice, law and order," the statement added.

The Ghana Police Service interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the rerun election at Ablekuma North.In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he was referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.The officer concerned was withdrawn from the election duty at Ablekuma North. He has been held for criminal charges of assault.The police officer's action was condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.Deputy Minister for Government Communications, Shamima Muslim, in reaction to the said incident, commended the police for its swift action to reprimand its officer for such unlawful acts and condemned the recent attacks against civilians and journalists during the Ablekuma North election rerun.

"What we are happy about is the swift action that the Ghana Police itself has taken in interdicting the officer in question,” she said."It is completely unwarranted. Government itself takes a very serious stance, especially on security agencies meting out unwarranted attacks to civilians under any circumstances," she added.

The police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated.

Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno recently clarified that the police officer who assaulted a journalist during the Ablekuma North rerun had not been transferred, contrary to rumours, but was interdicted.

“Within the shortest possible time, we withdrew this policeman, and also what we did was that we had to interdict him. When you are interdicted, your uniform is taken away from you, you cannot go back to work. And there is a rumour going around that we have transferred the policeman from where he is to another police station, which is never true,” he stated.

He said investigations into the officer’s conduct had been completed by the Police Professional Standards Bureau.

“That investigation has been completed and handed over to me. So it means that a service enquiry is going to be conducted into his conduct and then the appropriate sanction will follow,” he explained.

He further revealed that disciplinary action will soon be taken. “Just yesterday I received a report from the professional standard who said that we can go ahead and constitute a disciplinary action through our service orders against the police officer,” the IGP said.

Ablekuma North by-election

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday, July 11, held a rerun election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.Ewurabena Aubynn polled 34,090 votes to beat the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Akua Afriyie, who secured 33,881 votes.Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP, due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote after the 2024 polls.On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh.However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges.These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified pink sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.The Electoral Commission (EC), after extensive deliberations, in July noted that it will hold the rerun election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations.The EC arrived at this decision after it met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.Violence mars Ablekuma North rerun election

At the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency, some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Ewutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson, was also assaulted by a group of men.

President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Albert  Kwabena  Dwumfuor condemned the attack on journalists. Due to the chaos that erupted, Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno visited some polling stations in the constituency.The Minority in Parliament also condemned the violence that took place during the just-ended Ablekuma North rerun election, accusing members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of instigating violent activities.In a statement signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus said:"The most disturbing aspect of today’s violence is not just the brutality itself, but the deliberate endorsement and celebration of these attacks by senior government officials. For example, Dr.Hanna Louisa Bissiw, National Women’s Organiser of the NDC and CEO of the Minerals Development Fund, provided perhaps the most damaging response with her statement that “violence begets violence” and her suggestion that the brutal attacks were somehow justified.""Even more shocking is the Facebook post by Malik Basintale, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC,who apparently celebrated the man who attacked Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson with the disturbing declaration, “From today, I name him the Flying Python. He shall be in charge of the 5k Airforce!” This grotesque celebration of violence against a former Member of Parliament represents a new low in Ghana’s political discourse," the statement added.The Minority registered its displeasure with the operation of the Ghana Police Service at the polling stations."The Ghana Police Service’s response raises serious questions about their preparedness and commitment to protecting our electoral process. Security personnel were overwhelmed by theperpetrators, failing to prevent these attacks on political figures, party agents, and journalists. More concerning are allegations surrounding Chief Superintendent Lumor Frederick Senanu and his potential role in facilitating these disruptions."The caucus stressed the need for increased protection for voters, electoral officers, journalists, and candidates. It also called on the international community, civil society, and media to monitor developments closely.

Recent developments

The eight individuals recently arrested for their involvement in the Ablekuma North by-election violence were put before the Court of Law on Friday, August 22.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who confirmed the arrest of 8 suspects on Wednesday, made this known. The IGP made this disclosure during a meeting between the Police leadership and executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

“As of yesterday, I got 8 suspects. Eight suspects have been arrested, they are being processed, and from the advice I had from the regional commander, it means that tomorrow they will put them before court. Either tomorrow or Friday, all these suspects will be put before court,” Mr Yohuno explained.

In a statement issued by Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs, the police said they are analyzing multiple videos from the July 11 poll to identify all individuals involved in the violent incidents that marred the election.

It adds that statements have been taken from complainants and witnesses, and victims have been issued Police Medical Report Forms as part of ongoing investigations.

The Command noted that it has gathered vital leads and assured the public that arrests will follow soon.

The police also emphasized their commitment to holding accountable anyone found culpable of violence, intimidation, or electoral misconduct. They encouraged the public to share credible information via emergency lines 18555 or 191.