The World Peace Volunteers (WPV), an internationally recognised civil society organisation, has raised concerns over what it describes as the excessive deployment of public resources during the recently concluded Akwatia by-election.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, September 3, WPV, which was officially accredited to observe the by-election, said the scale of security and logistical deployment was disproportionate and raises serious questions about the prudent use of state funds.
“Over 5,000 police personnel, along with police vehicles, school buses, Metro Mass Transit buses, and other state resources, were committed to a single by-election. This, in our view, is neither sustainable nor prudent,” the statement read.
WPV, which has participated in election observation missions in countries including the UK, US, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, and holds ECOSOC consultative status with the United Nations, urged the government and electoral authorities to consider more cost-effective and sustainable approaches to conducting by-elections, especially given Ghana’s current economic challenges.
The group proposed a possible reform, suggesting that when a parliamentary seat becomes vacant, the party that previously held the seat could be allowed to nominate a replacement without the need for a full by-election.
According to WPV, such a reform would reduce the financial strain on the state while maintaining democratic representation.
WPV further appealed to all political stakeholders, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to put national interest above partisan considerations.
“We call on all political stakeholders… to support reforms that promote peace, unity, and responsible governance,” the release concluded.
WPV, which has participated in election observation missions in countries including the UK, US, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, and holds ECOSOC consultative status with the United Nations, noted that while ensuring peace and order during elections is vital, the level of deployment in Akwatia far exceeded what was necessary for a local poll.