Dec. 7 Elections: SWAT is “illegal and Unnecessary”, Exclude Them from Security – ACP Rtd. Agordzo Cautions | Elections

Retired Police officer and a Police Planning Officer at the United Nations Mission Support for Justice Reform, ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, has described the national Special Weapons Tactics (SWAT) as “illegal” and unnecessary, hence, they should be exempted from carrying out any activities in the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

According to ACP Agordzo, the constitution does not encourage the creation of any other security force, unless parliament approves of it.

He made these remarks at a symposium organized by the GIMPA Law students Association on Wednesday, November 30, 2024, on the theme “Peace Through Democracy”.

At the forum, Dr Agordzo raised concerns about the legality and orientation of the SWAT unit under the National Security apparatus of the country.

ACP Agordzo said, “according to the Constitution, apart from the Ghana Police Service, no other Police Service should be created unless by an Act of Parliament.”

“Where from the National SWAT? Who created it, and under what Act of Parliament?” he asked.

According to him, the existence of the SWAT unit is a constitutional violation and arguing that its involvement in the upcoming nationwide polls will reduce the credibility and potentially mar the peace of the nation.

He highlighted the violence that erupted during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election where several persons were brutally injured.

According to him, the role of the SWAT unit contributed immensely to the spread of the violent attacks.  
“Ayawaso West Wuogon is still fresh in our minds. If we really need peace, we must advocate that the National SWAT is not deployed,” Dr Agordzo added.

He maintained that every election security should be the prerogative of the Ghana Police Service, supported by specially trained officers of the various security units when they become needed and necessary.

ACP Agordzo stated that the orientation and training of the National SWAT are skewed towards serving a particular regime thereby cautioning the major stakeholders against the plans they may have to involve them in the electoral process and that their involvement could undermine the neutrality of election security operations.

He, therefore, recommend that enhancing the capacity of the police and engaging with stakeholders early in the election process could be the game changer in ensuring a peaceful election.

“We don’t have the luxury of saturating security forces in a single constituency for national elections,” he said.

“The senior police officer reiterated the need for inclusivity in election security planning.”

“Techiman South is too fresh on our minds, we can do this election peacefully without deploying any military officer,” he said.

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