File photo of SWAT officers during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election
A retired police officer and Police Planning Officer at the United Nations Mission Support for Justice Reform, ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, has described the national Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) as "illegal" and unnecessary.
He believes they should be exempted from participating 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 it.
He made these remarks at a symposium organised 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 country's national security apparatus.
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 is the National SWAT from? 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 its involvement in the upcoming nationwide polls will reduce credibility and potentially mar the nation's peace.
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 election security should be the prerogative of the Ghana Police Service, supported by specially trained officers of the various security units when needed and necessary.
ACP Agordzo stated that the orientation and training of the National SWAT are skewed towards serving a particular regime. He cautioned major stakeholders against involving them in the electoral process, as their involvement could undermine the neutrality of election security operations.
He, therefore, recommended 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 officers," he said.
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