Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has noted that the ruling party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), will fortify the plans left behind by the late Dr Omane Boamah to enable the party to win the Akwatia by-election.

While expressing sadness over Dr Omane's Boamah, he noted that the party will ensure it wins the by-election to honour the late minister.

“We all miss Dr Omane Boamah. Before his tragic passing, he had already begun laying the foundations for a resounding victory in Akwatia. In his memory, we will carry out those plans and strengthen them."

“We will inject even greater momentum and fine-tune the strategy to secure victory for the NDC in Akwatia so that the people can enjoy the same quality representation in Parliament that other constituencies are experiencing," he said.

The Government of Ghana on Friday, August 15, laid to rest six out of the eight victims of the Adansi helicopter crash after holding a state funeral at the Black Star Square.

The deceased were Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

Among the eight victims, two Muslims — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Human Security, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed — were laid to rest earlier, on Sunday, August 10, where Janazah prayers were also held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra before they were buried at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo.

The Akwatia by-election is slated for Tuesday, September 2. The election has become a necessity following the tragic passing of the Member of Parliament for the area, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who had only served for six months.

In a series of security operations in Akwatia, the Eastern South Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of ten persons, confiscating nine firearms ahead of the upcoming by-election.

The firearms include eight pump-action shotguns and one locally manufactured single-barreled gun.

This was announced in a statement shared on their official Facebook page. They revealed that "These seizures form part of intensified efforts to prevent the unlawful possession and use of weapons during the electoral process".

The first suspects were intercepted in a vehicle being driven by one Bernard Kumi Ofosu near the St. Dominic Hospital in Akwatia.

Following a search of the vehicle, they found a Tulpar double-barrel pump-action gun, four AAA live cartridges, and two FTB blanks.

Ofosu admitted ownership and presented a valid license. He is currently assisting with investigations while the exhibits undergo verification.

Also, the statement continued that another operation led to the discovery of 15 live cartridges from another suspect, Joshua Amenuku. A later search at his residence led to the discovery of a gun and more live cartridges.

"In a separate operation at the Akwatia Y-Junction snap check, the Police arrested suspect Joshua Amenuku after retrieving 15 live BB cartridges from him. A subsequent search at his residence uncovered one ADLER TULPA pump-action gun and five additional live BB cartridges" the police added.

They also revealed that "later that evening, Police intercepted a Toyota Hilux pick-up at the Boadua Livingstone snap check point and arrested suspects Enoch Asiedu, and Lu Youyan, a Chinese national, after four live BB cartridges were retrieved from the vehicle.

"Preliminary interrogation revealed that the ammunition allegedly belonged to their employer, one Mohammed, identified as the owner of the vehicle. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest suspect Mohammed for interrogation, while the two suspects remain in custody assisting investigations," the statement said.

The police continued that "Four live BB cartridges were retrieved from the vehicle. Preliminary checks linked the ammunition to their employer, identified as Mohammed, owner of the vehicle. Police are pursuing him for questioning while the two suspects remain in custody.

In another operation on Friday, August 23, "Police officers on duty at the Boadua Livingstone Junction snap check point again arrested suspect Pieterson Joseph, after retrieving one (1) ADLER TULPAR pump-action gun and 46 AAA and BB cartridges from his vehicle. The suspect admitted ownership of the firearm".

On the same day, the police "officers on snap-check duty at Staff Village Boadua, intercepted a Toyota Tundra pick-up with registration no WR 5535-13 from the Asamankese direction towards Boadua. A search conducted in the Tundra pick up revealed the three pump-action guns, including (1) Pardus pump-action gun, one (1) Hulglu Atroe pump-action and one (1) other pump-action gun. Suspect Stephen Nkansah claimed ownership of two of the pump-action guns and stated that the third pump-action gun belongs to his chief. Meanwhile, suspect Stephen Nkansah has been arrested and detained for investigation".

Following such successful operations, the Police assured the public and all other stakeholders that, it will intensify operations to ensure the sanity of the elections as well as maintain peace and security in the region ahead of the elections.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Electoral Commission (EC) for the disqualification of a parliamentary aspirant for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia on the ticket of the Action People’s Party (APP), David Ankomah.

The lawsuit filed by the disqualified parliamentary aspirant at the High Court challenges the EC for excluding him for failing to submit his tax clearance certificate.

The disqualified parliamentary aspirant has argued that the Commission gave a short notice to produce the certificate through the Akwatia District Electoral Officer, hence the reason he has failed to provide the required document.

Additionally, he maintains that he has completed all necessary processes needed to participate in the race. He has therefore prayed the Court to suspend the by-election until the case is determined.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has noted that his outfit will stay alert and avert any form of misconduct and electoral violence during the Akwatia by-election slated for Tuesday, September 2.

Engaging the media, the IGP noted that his officers are up to the task.

“We want to assure Ghanaians that the police is ready to handle any type of thing that may come in Akwatia. We are ready with the men. We have the men who can handle this situation and then our eyes are red for Akwatia and nobody, nobody should think of coming to cause trouble,” he said.

IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno cautioned the political parties participating in the by-election against marching men to the polling stations to distrupt the electoral process.

“No political party should mobilise men to come and foment trouble, and nobody should have in mind the intention of snatching a ballot box. We have prepared our men adequately to handle this situation, and that, I informed the political parties as I met them yesterday [Tuesday],” he explained.

The police has noted that individuals who attempt to cause any form of violence during the Akwatia by-election will be quickly whisked away by police personnel to face the full rigor of the law.

According to the police, a mobile prison will be set up to detain suspects. The IGP made this information known to the media during the final day of a five-day intensive training at the High Risk Operations Training Centre (HROT-C) at Akyeremanteng in the Eastern Region.

“There is no fear for Akwatia, this will be one of the best and peaceful elections because we are fully prepared. If you come quietly to vote, we will receive you quietly, if you have any intention of causing trouble, we will not allow you to go free, we will change your location. We will house you in different forms, before your trouble goes far.”

“Under no circumstances will someone come to the polling station to create a problem, and we will allow the person to go free,” the IGP said.

The training included tactical drills such as rappelling, precision shooting, handcuffing, vehicle stop and search, crowd control, and human rights considerations. Over 5,000 police personnel are expected to be deployed to Akwatia for the by-election.

On 12th August 2025, the IGP and his team held a meeting with the Electoral Commission (EC) to discuss the broader roadmap for the polls. The discussions centered on coordination between the Police and the EC to ensure smooth operations before, during, and after the election. The EC also outlined its operational roadmap for the conduct of the by-election.

Similarly, on 13th August 2025, the Police engaged the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) at the National Police Headquarters. At the meeting, IDEG highlighted concerns related to electoral security, transparency, and the role of stakeholders in sustaining public confidence in the process.