Police Block Kennedy Agyapong, Adutwum, and Other Prominent Figures from Entering Council of State Rerun Venue
Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, and other notable political figures from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were barred from entering the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, the venue for the rerun of the Council of State elections in the Ashanti Region.
The police, who were stationed in large numbers at the venue, cited the lack of proper accreditation as the reason for denying entry. Only accredited individuals, particularly eligible assembly members, were granted access to the voting hall, according to the authorities.
Among the prominent figures turned away were former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Bantama MP Henry Kwabena Kokofu, and Kwadaso MP Kingsley Nyarko. The purpose of their presence at the venue remains unclear, though it is speculated they were there in support of candidates vying for positions in the Council of State election.
The heavy security presence and strict protocols were implemented following the violent disruption of the first round of voting on February 11, 2025. On that day, a group of unidentified thugs stormed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, causing chaos as they destroyed ballot boxes, scattered voting papers, and attacked electoral officers. The violence, reportedly incited by dissatisfied supporters, forced the Electoral Commission to suspend the election process temporarily.
Several media personnel, including GhanaWeb’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent Gideon Nana Peprah, were injured during the altercation. Peprah recounted how a group of men, numbering around seven or eight, aggressively entered the polling venue, knocking over tables and scattering election materials. The attackers then turned on Peprah, accusing him of filming the incident and forcing him to delete footage from his phone before seizing it.
The chaotic events have raised concerns over the security of the election process and the safety of all those involved. The police response, including the decision to deny entry to non-accredited individuals, appears aimed at preventing further disturbances and ensuring a smooth and peaceful election.
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