The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has withdrawn from a scheduled inter-party meeting organised by the National Peace Council ahead of the Akwatia by-election, citing inadequate representation from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The meeting, intended to foster dialogue and promote a peaceful electoral process, was suspended after the NPP raised concerns about the composition of the NDC delegation.
According to NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, the NDC’s team consisted solely of constituency-level executives, with no national officers present. He argued that such representation lacked the authority to commit the party to any binding peace agreement.
The NPP delegation, which included Eastern Regional Chairman Jeff Konadu Addo and National Youth Organiser Salam Mustapha, said it had expected a national-level dialogue and was disappointed by the imbalance.
“We raised this objection before the meeting commenced and requested that the NDC be fully represented by their national executives. Otherwise, we will not be able to participate,” Nana Boakye is quoted as saying.
The by-election, set for September 4, 2025, was triggered by the passing of the late Ernest Kumi, former Member of Parliament for Akwatia. The Peace Council had hoped to use the meeting to ease tensions in the constituency, which has a history of electoral unrest.
Police have since assured residents and political actors of heightened security measures, warning that any attempts to disrupt the electoral process will be met with swift action.
