As the Akwatia by-election approaches on September 2, 2025, the Ghana Police Service is intensifying efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process, with the iconic "Black Maria" mobile detention unit playing a pivotal role in its law enforcement strategy.
The police van, historically known for transporting suspects, has been highlighted as a key tool to swiftly detain and remove troublemakers, thereby curbing electoral violence in the Eastern Region constituency.
The term "Black Maria," rooted in 19th-century Boston history where a woman named Maria Lee assisted police in transporting criminals, has become symbolic of rapid response.
For the upcoming by-election, it is set to serve as a deterrent against electoral disruptions.
