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The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has raised alarm over what it describes as “undue interference” in its regional electoral processes, particularly during a scheduled election in the Ashanti Region on Monday, June 2, 2025.
In a statement issued Tuesday, June 3 NASPA’s Coordinating Secretary, Nana Adu Gyamfi Mensah, condemned the sudden disruption of the Ashanti Regional NASPA Conference and Elections by armed police officers.
According to the statement, a group of uniformed officers claiming to be from the Regional Police Command stormed the CLOSAG Auditorium in Adum moments before the event was set to begin.
According to the statement, the officers informed the regional executives that they had received orders from ‘above’ to cancel the election, citing unauthorized procedures and alleged security threats. However, they did not present any official documents or warrants to support these claims. A phone call to the Deputy Regional Commander only confirmed the same directive, reportedly originating from the National Service Authority (NSA) Headquarters.
The Coordinating Secretary described the incident as an “appalling act of administrative and political interference” that violates NASPA’s constitution and undermines its democratic values.
Below is the full statement
UNDUE INTERFERENCE IN REGIONAL NASPA ELECTIONS.
My attention has been drawn to undue interference by some senior officers of the National Service Authority (NSA) in the ongoing district delegate conferences (Regional NASPA elections). Reports from the regional leadership in the Ashanti Region point to disturbing developments. These include the use of state security and threats of legal injunctions, allegedly orchestrated by certain regional and national officers of the Authority. These actions appear to be aimed at intimidating and frustrating regional executives, and derailing the electoral process.
I wish to state unequivocally that NASPA will not yield to political expediency at any level. The Association stands for transparency, democracy, and the will of the service personnel, and I will not relent in protecting these values. I call on the media and civil society organizations to keenly follow developments within NASPA, as more of such interferences may be underway.
On Monday, June 2, 2025, the Ashanti Regional NASPA Conference and Elections were moments away from commencement when a group of armed policemen in uniform claiming to be from the Regional Police Command stormed the venue, the CLOSAG Auditorium in Adum. They approached the regional executives directly, stating that they had orders from “above” to stop the election, clear the premises, and instruct the facility managers to lock the venue. The reason given was that the election was unauthorized by NSA Headquarters due to alleged unconstitutional electoral procedures and purported security threats.
However, the officers failed to provide any official letter or warrant to substantiate their claims, because none existed. Instead, one of them placed a call to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, who reiterated the same message and claimed to have received instructions from NSA Headquarters. This incident followed an earlier decision by the National Service Authority, in complete disregard of the Association’s constitution and conventions, unilaterally suspended the election, which was rumored for Friday, 30th May 2025.
Upon reaching out, the Director of Administration explained that the decision was sanctioned by “his superiors” and that he had no explanations to offer. This gesture, which I believe has both administrative and political backing, is deeply appalling. The regional executives then informed the officers that, contrary to their claims, there had been no security breach or chaos at the venue. The conference setup was in order, and delegates and candidates from all 43 districts were peacefully seated, awaiting the opening prayer. Police officers from the command were already en route to provide security, further discrediting the claim of a security threat. Regarding the allegation of an unconstitutional electoral process, the Ashanti Regional executives clarified that no aspirant had filed a formal petition contesting the procedure.
After the vetting, all aspirants had been engaged to raise any concerns, and none had expressed issues with the procedures. There had been earlier rumors of elections being held two days after vetting (Friday), but this was officially clarified. The election was rescheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025, to allow aspirants more time to campaign. Despite these explanations, the police insisted that the venue be vacated and that any elections must be held on a date approved by NSA Headquarters, a directive that contravenes the NASPA constitution and the Association’s established conventions. The regional executives then proposed to proceed with only the conference and postpone the elections, but these armed policemen rejected this suggestion. Recognizing the risk of escalation, the executives decided to yield and requested 10 minutes to brief the delegates. During this time, the Ashanti Regional executives met with all aspirants and asked them to suggest a new election date. After deliberations, the majority of the aspirants (13 out of 20) agreed on Thursday, June 5, 2025. This agreement was documented with names and signatures. The executives then addressed the delegates, informed them of the new date, and peacefully exited the venue. This incident represents a worrying precedent of administrative overreach and interference in democratic processes. NASPA is an association for service personnel and must be allowed to function independently and free from coercion or political manipulation.
I reiterate my commitment to upholding the democratic values of the Association and urge the general public, media, and civil society to hold the relevant authorities accountable for this undue interference in our activities.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.net
