Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has assured the public that the Ghana Police Service is fully prepared to provide security for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primaries.
Speaking at a peace pact signing ceremony involving NPP presidential aspirants, the IGP disclosed that the party formally notified the police weeks ago that security for the elections would be handled exclusively by the Ghana Police Service.
“Some few weeks ago, the NPP party wrote to the police to inform us that the security for the forthcoming presidential elections will be solely handled by the Ghana Police Service,” he said.
Mr Yohuno said the police have since identified all polling areas and completed comprehensive operational plans to ensure a peaceful and orderly process.
“We want to assure you that we have been able to identify all the areas where the elections will take place. We have 276 plus one polling centres. We have been able to make our operational plans,” he stated.
He explained that all regional commanders responsible for the various polling areas have been engaged and briefed to coordinate and oversee security arrangements.
“We have met all our regional commanders who are responsible for these areas where these elections will take place. We have gone over all the preparations over and over and are ready to go to the field,” the IGP noted.
According to him, the only area where additional military support may be required is Bawku, due to its unique security challenges. He said the police have written to the Minister for the Interior to liaise with the Minister of Defence to facilitate military assistance in that area.
In all other parts of the country, he said, the military will remain on standby while the police take the lead in securing the process.
Mr Yohuno further disclosed that a minimum of 70 police officers will be deployed to each polling station, with senior officers deployed nationwide to supervise operations.
“We assure you that at least 70 is the least number of police officers will be at each polling station. We have deployed heavily. All senior officers countrywide are going to be at the police station,” he said.
He outlined a layered security strategy involving inner, middle and outer deployment, noting that the outer deployment would be heavily reinforced.
“We have the inner deployment, the middle deployment, and then the outer deployment. The outer deployment is heavily loaded,” he explained.
The IGP said the service has undertaken extensive training and preparation ahead of the primaries, adding that regional commanders across the country have expressed confidence in their readiness.
“I want to assure you that we have done a lot of training and preparation and that my regional commanders have called me and said that they are even ready for the election today,” he added.
Mr Yohuno thanked the NPP leadership for the confidence reposed in the Ghana Police Service, describing it as a reflection of trust in the professionalism of the police.
The peace pact signing ceremony forms part of efforts by the NPP to promote peaceful internal elections and strengthen unity as the party prepares for the 2028 general elections.
