With only 11 days remaining until the Ayawaso East by-election on March 3, the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council and the National Commission for Civic Education
(NCCE) have ramped up efforts to prevent a recurrence of the electoral violence that has historically shadowed the constituency.
At a high-level Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Nima, religious leaders, security agencies, and political party representatives committed to a "Peace Pact" designed to ensure a transparent and non-violent transition.
1. Identifying the Flashpoints
Right Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Peace Council, noted that while Ayawaso East is currently peaceful, it remains vulnerable to specific security threats:
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Political Vigilantism: Preventing the mobilization of "macho men" or private security groups.
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Radicalization: Shielding the youth from extreme ideologies that justify violence during political transitions.
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Provocative Language: Monitoring campaign rhetoric to prevent inflammatory statements that could spark community unrest.
2. The Candidates and the Stakes
The by-election was triggered by the passing of the sitting Member of Parliament, a loss that has left the community in a state of political flux. Three candidates have been cleared by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the March 3 contest:
| Candidate | Party | Key Platform |
| Baba Jamal | NDC | Continued infrastructure development and youth empowerment. |
| Evans Nimako | NPP | Direct economic support and alignment with national industrialization. |
| Independent Candidate | — | Focus on community-led security and small business growth. |
3. Directives for Election Day (March 3)
The Electoral Commission and the NCCE issued clear guidelines to voters and party agents to maintain the "sanctity of the ballot":
Dos and Don'ts for Voters:
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Respect the Boundary: Stay within the designated areas defined by EC officials at the polling station.
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Official Channels Only: Any disputes must be lodged with the Presiding Officer or the police, not through physical confrontation.
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Wait for the EC: Only the Electoral Commission has the legal mandate to declare results. The NCCE cautioned the media against "projecting" unofficial winners.
4. Enforcement of Act 999
The NCCE Regional Director, Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, reminded all attendees that under the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), political violence is no longer just a misdemeanor.
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Punishment: Individuals caught in vigilante acts face significant prison terms.
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Disqualification: Conviction under the Act leads to a permanent ban from holding public office in Ghana.
The Bottom Line
Ayawaso East stands at a crossroads. The success of the March 3 by-election will serve as a bellwether for the stability of the upcoming general elections. As Rt. Rev. Osabutey concluded, the goal is to ensure the constituency does not become a "statistic of violence" but rather a model of democratic resilience.
