Violence at Ablekuma North Rerun: IGP Announces Arrest of Eight Suspects

Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with violent incidents that erupted during the Ablekuma North parliamentary election rerun held on July 11, 2025. The announcement was made by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Alex Mensah Yohuno, during a high-level engagement between the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on Wednesday, August 20.

The rerun, conducted across 19 polling stations, was marred by disturbing scenes of violence. Among those assaulted were three journalists and several political figures, including former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mavis Hawa Koomson. The attacks, captured in widely circulated videos online, showed alleged political party operatives violently confronting civilians and onlookers, prompting national outrage.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Yohuno confirmed that the Accra Regional Police Command had taken swift action, arresting eight suspects linked to the incidents. He indicated that the suspects are currently being processed for prosecution.

“As of yesterday, the Accra Regional Commander informed me that eight suspects have been arrested. They are currently being processed and, according to the Commander’s advice, they will be arraigned before court either tomorrow or Friday,” Dr. Yohuno stated.

The violence drew sharp criticism from civil society organizations, media watchdogs, and the general public, who have since called for accountability and justice. Many have expressed concern over the safety of journalists and the conduct of some security personnel during the exercise.

Responding to these concerns, Dr. Yohuno assured the GJA and the public that the Ghana Police Service is committed to ensuring that justice is served—regardless of the identities or affiliations of those involved. He emphasized that any police officer found to have acted unprofessionally or failed in their duty would also face appropriate disciplinary action.

“We are making progress in our investigations, and we will ensure that justice is done. Those who failed to carry out their duties in a professional manner will be held accountable,” he stressed.

He further reiterated the police administration’s zero tolerance for misconduct and underlined the importance of professionalism in maintaining the credibility of Ghana’s democratic processes.

The Ghana Journalists Association used the meeting to condemn the attacks on journalists and demanded stronger safeguards to protect media personnel, especially during elections. The GJA described the assaults as an attack on press freedom and urged the police to work collaboratively with journalists to ensure their safety while covering public events.

The Ablekuma North rerun was necessitated by a court decision that nullified the original election outcome. However, the rerun itself has become the subject of national scrutiny due to the violence that occurred.

As the suspects prepare to face legal proceedings, the Police Service has called for calm and assured the public that all necessary steps are being taken to uphold justice and restore confidence in the electoral process.