Election Watch Ghana is calling for peace and restraint amid rising tensions and reported incidents of violence within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of its January 31 flagbearership elections.
In a statement dated Monday, January 19, 2026, the election observer group expressed deep concern over what it described as escalating hostility among supporters of rival aspirants, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to the credibility of the internal party contest.
The group cited disturbing incidents, including reports from Sunyani where a party supporter identified as Naa Torshi was allegedly chased away from a campaign venue and forced to address the public from a vehicle.
It also referenced a separate incident involving the assault of a social media activist by supporters of an opposing camp, as widely reported in the media.
“These incidents are alarming and unacceptable, undermining the integrity of the electoral process,” Election Watch Ghana stated.
The organization called on the Ghana Police Service to urgently intervene by convening an emergency meeting with NPP flagbearer aspirants and party leadership to establish clear guidelines and ensure strict adherence to a code of conduct ahead of the elections.
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It further urged the police and other stakeholders to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions, deploy adequate security personnel to identified hotspots, and prevent further acts of violence as the election draws closer.
“As Ghana watches this critical election unfold, we implore all NPP members and supporters to exercise restraint, tolerance, and calm,” the statement said, stressing that democracy thrives on peaceful competition rather than violence.
Election Watch Ghana emphasized that the responsibility rests heavily on party leadership to guarantee a peaceful process and to ensure that all aspirants and their supporters respect the outcome of the elections.
The group also called for proactive and preventive measures, urging authorities to act swiftly to safeguard a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process. It specifically requested that the Ghana Police Service provide regular public updates on the security situation and actions being taken to address reported incidents.
The statement was copied to the Ghana Police Service, the NPP National Headquarters, media houses, and the National Peace Council.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh / Barbara Yeboah
