the billboard situation at Ablekuma North Constituency
A needless altercation erupted between supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the placement of a billboard in the Ablekuma North Constituency of the Greater Accra Region. The conflict began at Dansoman Junction, where NDC Parliamentary Candidate Ewurabena Aubynn had erected a massive billboard to attract voters.
In response, NPP’s candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, placed her own billboard directly in front of Aubynn’s, obstructing its visibility.
The situation intensified when photos of the competing billboards went viral on social media, leading the NDC Constituency Chairman to hold a press conference. He warned the NPP against attempts to intimidate them in the lead-up to the December 7 elections. The simmering tension culminated in a violent confrontation on the evening of Thursday, July 25, 2024, bringing traffic on the Kaneshie to Mallam Junction highway to a standstill. Supporters from both parties, armed with cudgels, clubs, and machetes, clashed over who had the right to place their billboard first.
The violence was severe, and it required the intervention of police and some good Samaritans to restore calm to the area. On the Ghana Yensom morning show on Accra 100.5 FM, Mr. Robert Agbezah, NDC Ward Chairman for Kwashibu Electoral Area in Ablekuma North, expressed concerns about the rate at which NPP’s billboards were blocking those of the NDC. He noted that the matter had been escalated to the Odorkor Divisional Police command with support from the Municipal Chief Executive for the area.
In a related incident, Nana Amoako Ababio II, Regent of Mankrong-Junction, and seven others were arrested and granted GH¢100,000 bail for allegedly removing a duet billboard of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Hannah Asamoah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Agona East, by the Agona Swedru Magistrate’s Court. The court, presided over by Victor Kusi, granted six of them bail in the sum of GH¢ 10,000 each with three sureties each, while two octogenarians among them were earlier granted a bail sum of GH¢40,000 when they appeared before the court on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
The court further ordered them to reinstall the billboard at the same location to ensure peace and tranquillity. However, the accused claimed that the land belonged to them and that no permission had been sought from them before erecting the billboard. The case was adjourned to Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
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