The National Elections Security Taskforce, led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare, has cautioned private security operatives against interfering with state security operations before, during, and after the December 7 elections.
Highlighting past incidents of election-related violence involving vigilante groups acting as private security for political figures, the IGP reassured the public of the state security agencies’ full control over election security.
Speaking during a meeting with the Association of Private Security Organizations, Dampare emphasized the taskforce’s commitment to ensuring peaceful and orderly elections.
“The only entity responsible for providing security is the state security and nobody [else]. We don’t want a situation where the ordinary Ghanaian voter is confused and probably intimidated by any citing of or any form of uniform that makes them very apprehensive in showing up and casting their votes.
“To Ghanaians, we want to assure you that we have your back, and we will do anything that it takes for you not to be confused”.
“Especially the voters so that you can walk into the polling stations to cast your vote peacefully with a lot of confidence, knowing that nobody can intimidate you. We are with you and with all the political Parties and their candidates and assure them that the measures we are putting in place are for the benefit of all, to ensure that they also have confidence in the system and do not even make any attempt on their own to try to provide security for themselves for we are fully and totally in charge”.
The elections’ security task force also engaged the Commonwealth Observer Mission led by former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi assuring them of their preparedness for the polls.
