Disband Vigilante Groups – Akufo-Addo to NPP, NDC

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the leadership of the two main political parties in the country to assure Ghanaians of their commitment to democratic rule by openly disbanding vigilante groups in their camps.

Delivering his third state of the nation address in parliament on Thursday, 21 February 2019, Nana Akufo-Addo said: “I want to make a sincere passionate appeal to the leaders of the two main political parties in our country – NPP and NDC – to come together as soon as possible, preferably next week, to agree on appropriate measures to bring an end to this worrying and unacceptable phenomenon of vigilantism in our body politic.

“Mr Speaker, I’ve asked the leadership of the NPP to extend an invitation to the leadership of the NDC for such a meeting. The security services of the country will be on standby to assist such a meeting. If voluntary disbandment by the parties is not feasible, then I’ll initiate legislation in the matter.”

The groups – among which are Invisible Forces, Delta Forces and Bolga Bull Dogs of the NPP and The Hawks and Azorka Boys of the NDC – have become a thorn in the flesh of citizens especially in the peak of political activism.

Some have visited violence on citizens immediately after the taking over of governance by the party they are affiliated with.

By-election violence

Referring to the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence,the President described the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable in a democratic State like Ghana, insisting that those people should be tracked down for the law to take its rightful course.

He urged the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action to deal with those who were clearly seen molesting innocent Ghanaians in the video, while waiting for the Justice Emile Short Commission’s report.

He said the security agencies will be on stand-by to help in these negotiations.