Mike Oquaye Backs Kojo Bamba’s Call for Stronger NPP Ballot Protection

Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has backed NPP First Vice Chairman Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as Kojo Bamba, in calling for stronger measures to protect the party’s ballots during elections.

Professor Oquaye said Kojo Bamba’s position was justified, arguing that the NPP’s reliance on the police to safeguard its electoral interests had raised concerns about the protection of ballots.

Speaking in an interview he said the NPP had previously disbanded party-linked security groups and opted to rely on the national police to protect the electoral process.

He, however, accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining that arrangement through what he described as intimidation and interference during elections.

Professor Oquaye cited alleged incidents of ballot box seizures, the deployment of “macho men” at polling centres and disruptions that, according to him, had led to re-voting in some areas.

His comments come amid renewed discussions within the NPP over how to protect its ballots and polling agents ahead of the 2028 general election.

Asked whether he supported creating a parallel system to protect ballot boxes instead of relying on the police, Professor Oquaye rejected the idea.

He nevertheless warned that political parties could lose confidence in state protection if they believed the police were failing to safeguard them.

Professor Oquaye maintained that the NPP’s concerns were not about promoting violence but about what he described as shortcomings in the protection provided by state institutions.

He called on the NDC to end what he characterised as political intimidation and urged religious leaders, civil society organisations and other influential groups to intervene before tensions escalate.

He also criticised the arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, describing the circumstances surrounding the arrest as concerning.

Professor Oquaye warned that continued political tensions could have serious consequences if left unaddressed, as debate continues over ballot protection and the role of the police in Ghana’s electoral process ahead of 2028.