The Secretary to the NPP Presidential Elections Committee, William Yamoah has revealed that police officers who will be stationed at polling centres to provide security during the conduct of the 31st January, 2026 presidential primary will be armed, specifically with guns. This, he says, is to ensure the safety of both Electoral Commission officials and representatives of the respective candidates as well as voters.
Yamoah has revealed this decision comes on the heels of an intelligence report of a potential security threat. He confirmed the move on Adom FM, noting that the party had received disturbing information about possible violence during the primaries. Yamoah explained that the request to have armed police officers deployed was based on intercepted videos and commentaries that suggested the possibility of threats to the peaceful conduct of the primaries. The videos, he noted, hinted at both internal and external sources of unrest, prompting the party to take proactive security measures.
The committee subsequently requested the Ghana Police Service to arm their contingents who will be dispatched for the duty of providing security during the 31st January polls.
“We cannot take any chances with the safety of our people,” Yamoah stated. “Given the potential dangers, the NPP Election Committee requested the police to be armed to protect delegates, officials, and the integrity of the primaries.” Despite the uncertainty about whether these threats are real, the committee is committed to safeguarding the election process.
While the exact nature of these threats remains unclear, Yamoah emphasised the party’s responsibility to ensure that the primaries go ahead without any disruptions.
“We don’t know whether these are empty threats or not, but we cannot afford to put people’s lives at risk,” he added. The NPP, which has several prominent figures vying for the presidential candidacy, is keen on maintaining a peaceful environment for the elections.
The security concerns extend beyond potential internal disputes, according to Yamoah. “These threats are not just internal party conflicts but could also involve external factors,” he said, hinting at possible interference from outside the party. As the primaries will be a significant event in Ghana’s political landscape, the NPP is taking no chances.
In response to these threats, additional security measures will be in place at polling stations, and party delegates will be urged to cooperate with security personnel on the day of the voting. The goal is to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, without any intimidation or disruptions.
