Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah
Gunshots rang out at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) constituency executive elections at Wiamoase in the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency of the Ashanti Region yesterday, as police arrested media personality, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, following clashes over a reported court injunction.
The unrest erupted at the polling centre after Okatakyie Afrifa, who hails from the constituency, reportedly arrived with some supporters to serve what was described as a court injunction seeking to halt the election.
Eyewitnesses said armed police officers prevented him from entering the polling station, triggering a confrontation between security personnel and some of his supporters.
As tensions escalated, police fired several gunshots to disperse the crowd and restore order. The sound of gunfire sent delegates and party supporters running for safety, temporarily disrupting the voting process.
Videos circulating on social media showed panic at the polling station as people fled while armed officers moved in to control the situation. Other footage showed Okatakyie Afrifa being escorted into a police vehicle before being driven to an undisclosed police station.
Witnesses said several of his supporters were also arrested during the incident.
It was not immediately clear whether the shots were fired into the air or whether anyone sustained injuries. However, eyewitnesses indicated that no casualties had been recorded.
As of yesterday evening, the Ashanti North Regional Police Command had not issued an official statement on the arrest or the circumstances surrounding the reported court injunction.
Violence Spreads to Bantama
The incident was one of several disturbances that marred the NPP’s constituency executive elections in parts of the Ashanti Region over the weekend.
In the Bantama Constituency, unidentified men reportedly stormed the polling centre at the Kumasi Cultural Centre on Saturday, destroyed election materials and dispersed delegates.
The group reportedly claimed that a court injunction had restrained the constituency from conducting the election and accused party officials of disregarding the order.
Police later arrested three suspects in connection with the violence.
The Bantama election was subsequently reorganised on Sunday, with voting taking place under tight security after the Electoral Commission’s polling booths were reportedly replaced with temporary hospital ward screens.
Court Orders Divide Constituencies
Reports also indicated that some constituencies, including Asante Akyem Central and Adansi Asokwa, proceeded with their elections despite reported court injunctions. In Adansi Asokwa, voting was allegedly conducted without the supervision of Electoral Commission (EC) officials.
However, elections were suspended in constituencies including Atwima Mponua, Manso Nkwanta and Manhyia North, where party officials reportedly complied with court orders restraining the polls.
Most Polls Held Peacefully
Despite the isolated incidents of violence and legal disputes, constituency executive elections were conducted peacefully in several other constituencies, including Manhyia South and Asokwa.
The disturbances come amid heightened tensions surrounding the NPP’s nationwide constituency executive elections, with several contests being challenged in court over alleged electoral irregularities and procedural disputes.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi