Post-election pressers raising tension – Police

The Ghana Police Service has cautioned political parties in the country to remain calm and wait for the official results of the December 7 polls from the Electoral Commission and desist from inciting supporters through press conferences.

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have organised press conferences each claiming to have won, with the NPP demanding immediate release of the certified results.

The Director General in charge of Police Operations, COP Christian Tetteh Yohunu, said on Thursday December 8 that the “situation was unfortunate and seems to be creating an anti-climax to the otherwise near-perfect electoral process”.

He was of the view that the conferences are creating unnecessary tension and charged the public to restrain themselves for the Electoral Commission (EC) to perform its duties.

He assured “the general public that we will do everything to protect lives and property”, charging the general populace “to desist from any action that has the potential to jeopardise the peace that the country is enjoying”.

COP Yohunu advised any aggrieved group or individual to use the right processes in channelling their concerns, adding: “The police will not countenance any breach of the peace as any offender will be made to face the law.”

He explained that security agencies in the country are monitoring the situation in the country and will make sure that any incidents do not escalate.

He called for leaders to be circumspect in their conduct in order not to “inflame passions and incite the public”.