Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, says the police are actively reviewing CCTV footage to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for the violence that marred the Ashanti Region’s Council of State elections on February 11, 2025.
According to him, the disruption, which saw some individuals overpowering law enforcement officers and destroying ballot materials, has prompted a full-scale investigation.
Answering questions in Parliament yesterday, the minister, who was accompanied by the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and an update will be provided by the end of the month.
He emphasised that law enforcement agencies are committed to ensuring accountability for those involved in the electoral disturbances.
Responding to inquiries regarding reports of initial arrests made by the police, the minister stated that his records do not confirm any arrests on the day of the incident.
“What the media reports may be different from what the police report. I will cross-check with the police to verify whether any arrests were indeed made on that said day,” he stated.
He reiterated that the police are carefully analyzing the footage to identify individuals involved in the breach.
Providing details of the incident, the minister explained that the Ashanti Regional Council of State election commenced at 8:00 am at the Regional Coordinating Council premises in Kumasi and proceeded until 11:30 am, when ballot sorting began.
However, the process was abruptly interrupted when some observers breached security barricades, destroyed ballots, and damaged other election materials, the Interior Minister narrated.
To prevent future occurrences, the police administration adopted several strategies, including a change in the command structure, replacing the regional police commander, and enforcing stricter election security protocols.
According to him, measures also included restricting access to inner electoral areas to only Electoral Commission-accredited personnel.
The minister assured the House that lessons from the February 11 incident had been incorporated into security plans for future elections.
When questioned on whether political affiliations would influence the pursuit of justice, the Interior Minister affirmed his commitment to impartiality.
“Crime has no colour. Once a crime is committed, it does not matter which party, tribe, or religion the perpetrator belongs to. I will support the police 100% to ensure that those responsible are brought to book,” he assured the House.
“The police have regulations guiding their actions, and I will inquire whether these changes warrant any form of punishment or inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved,” he added.
The minister emphasised his commitment to ensuring that law and order prevail, and that all necessary measures are taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House