In advance of the elections on December 7, 700 troops have been sent to Kumasi.

The airlift of 700 troops to Kumasi yesterday, December 5, 2024, was confirmed by reliable sources within the Ghana Armed Forces [GAF]. Personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force participated in the operation, which was part of an effort to maintain security ahead of tomorrow’s, Saturday, December 7, general elections. Some troops left Accra about five in the morning, marking the start of the deployment. Brigadier General Michael Opoku, who was previously the Head of Operation at the National Security Secretariat, is the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Central Command, which includes Kumasi.

When masked National Security agents shot and injured innocent Ghanaians during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, which chose Lydia Seyiram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Brig. Gen. MK Poku is remembered. In order to uphold peace and order and ensure that the elections run well, soldiers are anticipated to be stationed at several voting places throughout Kumasi on Saturday. Following increased worries about possible security risks in the Ashanti Region, a crucial political stronghold, military soldiers were sent to Kumasi.

The purpose of the forces’ presence is to prevent violent occurrences and guarantee a peaceful election process. Major General Joseph Aphour, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Training, and Major General Bismark Kwasi Onwona, the Army Commander, are reportedly conducting their own activities, including sending snipers to opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) strongholds, despite the Ghana Armed Forces’ assurances of neutrality and dedication to maintaining the democratic process. Nonetheless, the National Elections Security Task Force, which is headed by Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has called on people to work with security forces and carry out their civic responsibilities in a nonviolent manner.

Political parties and their followers have been urged by the Electoral Commission (EC) and other interested parties to put peace first during the elections. To protect the integrity of the elections, security measures are being put in place nationwide. As the rollout moves further, more information on this development will be provided. In an effort to encourage all Ghanaians to use their civic rights responsibly and without intimidation, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have prohibited soldiers from all polling places nationwide in advance of the general elections scheduled for Saturday, December 7. Brigadier General Emmanuel Aggrey-Quashie, the GAF’s Director of General Public Relations, stated in a statement that this exercise must be carried out while collaborating with security forces and abstaining from any actions that would disturb the nation’s tranquility.

In order to “report any military personnel, individual(s) identifying themselves as GAF personnel, or any individual(s) wearing military-patterned attire/accoutrements found at any polling station,” the Military High Command offered emergency toll-free phone numbers: 18555 or 0800 311 311. GAF reaffirmed its dedication to preserving the country’s stability and sovereignty while preserving the fairness of the electoral process.