Sekyere East NPP Election Violence: Okatakyie Afrifa Referred to KATH, Six Others Arrested
Okatakyie and six others are in police custody following violent disturbances that disrupted the NPP constituency polls
- Okatakyie referred to KATH
- Six more suspects arrested
- Police investigations ongoing
Kwame Afrifa Mensah, popularly known as Okatakyie, has been referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for further medical attention following violence that disrupted the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Sekyere East Constituency Executive Election on Sunday, July 12.
Okatakyie was initially admitted at the Mampong Government Hospital after the incident before being transferred to KATH, sources have confirmed.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, the Ashanti North Regional Police Command said Okatakyie, aged 43, led a group of about 30 men to the polling station at about 7:45 a.m.
According to the police, the group became aggressive when security personnel approached them to establish the purpose of their presence, leading to an attack on officers and the disruption of the electoral process.
The police said the group threw electoral materials onto the ground, resulting in the arrest of Okatakyie and six other suspects to assist with investigations, while other members of the group escaped.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Okatakyie claimed some of his supporters had been excluded from the electoral process and that he had secured an interlocutory injunction to stop the election.
However, the police stated that neither the Electoral Commission (EC) nor the Police Service received any court order directing the suspension of the elections.
Following police intervention, calm was restored and voting continued under enhanced security.
The election was concluded peacefully at about 4:00 p.m., after which the Electoral Commission declared the results.
Later on Sunday, Okatakyie and another suspect, Osman Awuni, 44, complained of ill health and were taken to the Mampong Government Hospital, where they were admitted for treatment under police guard.
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing and further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
