NPP, NDC have agreed to eliminate vigilantism - Peace Council

The two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party (NPP) have emphasized the need to stop the activities of political vigilante groups in the country.

This was the outcome of the first day of the dialogue to end vigilantism which is being mediated by the National Peace Council.

The NPP and the NDC among other things also agreed to stop the ownership. hiring and the utilization of vigilante and or militia groups by political members.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the NPP and NDC, Mr. Freddie Blay and Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo respectively disclosed that the two parties have agreed to also cooperate with the relevant state agencies to ensure all of such groups are disbanded.

The chairman of today’s meeting, Prof. S. K. B. Asante reading a summary of outcome of today’s dialogue to the media said: “After an open and exhaustive deliberation, the parties agreed that vigilantism is inimical to Ghana’s system and must be eradicated…Significantly, both parties agreed to engage in deliberations aimed at :1.Disbanding vigilante groups operating within political parties or for political purposes. 2. Prohibiting the ownership, hiring or utilization of such groups by the political parties or members thereof; 3.Cooperating with state agencies and stakeholders in the total eradication of such groups or incidence of vigilantism in the country.”

The National Peace Council invited both parties for the said meeting following the president’s call for them to meet to resolve the issue of political party vigilantism in the country.

The meeting took place at the Central Hotel, near the British High Commission in Accra.

The meeting was aimed at offering an opportunity for the two factions to table a number of proposals and modalities for disbanding vigilante groups.

President Nana Akufo-Addo during his 2019 State of the Nation Address called on the leadership of the two leading political parties to meet towards finding a lasting solution to political vigilantism.

This followed the tensions during the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election where the government was accused of engaging in state-sponsored political violence.

Those tensions led to the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry to probe the violence that marred the by-election.

Before the Ayawaso West Wuogon incident, the last two years had been littered by acts of violence by vigilante groups.

President Akufo-Addo also said he would consider a legislation to end political vigilantism if the dialogue failed to yield any positive result.

He subsequently instructed the Attorney General to prepare the said legislation.

By:  Jude Mensa Duncan | citinewsroom.com | Ghana | [email protected]

 

Source: citifmonline.com