Security personnel on holiday during and after Supreme Court verdict
Security personnel deployed in the Accra metropolis, particularly at flash points before, during and after the Supreme Court verdict were virtually rendered redundant because there was no evidence of the breach of the peace.
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There was high security presence on major roads in Accra in readiness to deal with election-related violence that might have arisen as a result of the judgment.
Even though business activities in the city was minimal owing to fears of possible violence after the Supreme Court verdict, police personnel were visible at vantage points, and in some cases there was police reinforcement in places that were noted for electoral violence.
More than 30,000 police officers were deployed to various areas in the country to enforce law and order. From the morning until even after the judgement, a helicopter hovered around the immediate environs of the court.
The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Freeman Tettey, told the Daily Graphic that there were enough police personnel on the ground to ensure law and order during and after the verdict.
Police armoured and patrol vehicles covered the length and breath of the city to ward off potential trouble makers.
Some were also stationed at media houses, banks and the headquarters of both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Areas such as Gbawe, Tetegu, Dansoman, Odorkor and Mallam Junction, in Accra, where the Daily Graphic team visited also had their share of police presence.
Although many streets in Accra appeared deserted, suburbs such as Lapaz and Nima, which had vehicular movement, saw security personnel directing traffic.
After the verdict was announced, the police intensified their patrols around Dansoman, Darkuman, and Asylum Down to ensure that supporters of the NDC and NPP did not engage in acts of violence.
Prior to the announcement of the verdict the police patrol vehicles were regular at places like Nima and James Town and after the verdict more security personnel were deployed in the violent prone areas.
Earlier in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Mr Cephas Arthur, said officers had been briefed well to enforce the laws to maintain peace after the court verdict.
By Sebastian Syme & Dominic Moses Awiah