BY Issah Olegor
In a move stirring political controversy, President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Joshua Lartey, popularly known as “Alhaji,” as the new District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ayensuano.
Joshua Lartey, who currently serves as the constituency secretary for the NDC, is a figure whose name came to prominence under troubling circumstances in December 2024.
Joshua Lartey was at the center of a violent incident on Monday, December 9, 2024, when the Electoral Commission (EC) office in Asuboi, Ayensuano District, was torched by a group of NDC-aligned individuals protesting the outcome of the parliamentary elections.
The NDC youth called by the former MP, Teddy Safori Addi led by Joshua Lartey, stormed the EC facility in a coordinated attack, burning ballot boxes and setting the entire building ablaze.
The violence erupted after the EC officially declared the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Ida Adjoa Asiedu, as the winner of the parliamentary seat for Ayensuano.
Ida Adjoa Asiedu secured 18,229 votes, defeating the incumbent NDC MP, Teddy Saforo Addy, who garnered 17,182 votes—a margin of over 1,000 votes.
Two other candidates, Abrokwa Sintim and a third identified only as Obiri, received 722 and 140 votes, respectively.
The NDC, however, rejected the results, alleging electoral irregularities and voter intimidation.
While party executives officially pursued legal avenues to contest the results, a faction of the supporters in the constituency took matters into their own hands.
The arson attack on the EC office, which occurred the day after the declaration of results, shocked the nation and prompted swift condemnation from civil society and security agencies.
Though no official legal proceedings have been publicly reported against Mr. Lartey for his alleged involvement in the incident, the appointment has reignited debate over political accountability and the signals such decisions send about impunity.
They were arrested and paraded before the Kyebi Circuit Court but were later granted bail.
Critics argue that rewarding an individual linked to acts of political violence undermines the rule of law and threatens the independence of state institutions like the Electoral Commission.
Others within the NDC describe the appointment as a reward for “loyalty and commitment” to the party’s cause in a difficult political climate.
The Ghana Police Service and the Electoral Commission have yet to issue updates on investigations related to the December 2024 incident.
Meanwhile, civic groups and political observers are calling for greater scrutiny of public appointments to prevent politicization of criminal acts and to uphold democratic integrity.
Attached Video Is The Incident That Occurred In December 2024
