Prof. Karikari casts doubts on political parties' claim of disbanded party militia

Former Executive Director for the Media Foundation for West Africa has cast doubts over political parties’ claim of having disbanded vigilante groups in the country.

Pro. Kwame Karikari the recent wave of acts of violence at registration centres indicate that the vigilante groups are still active.

“If you are a politician wielding guns in the public, can I believe that the vigilante group of that party is dismantled?

“Again, as a democratic country, these things appear on the surface as not bad enough but they can be extremely dangerous especially when you consider that the two major political parties still have vigilante groups [still active],” he said.

He spoke to JoyNews at a workshop organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa for political party communicators on the need to base their campaigns on issues and not on insults.

He lauded the country for practising politics devoid of ethnicity, however, was doubtful about claims by political parties, especially the ruling NPP and the opposition NDC of having disbanded their party militia.

“This country, in terms of political campaigning, the language used avoids ethnic hatred. You rarely hear a politician campaigning directly and openly concerning hatred for this or that ethnic group which is very good for us in this country.

“Rather, what is disturbing is the growing hateful language against opposing political parties and that is something that we must avoid. And what is even more disturbing is the incidence of violence or threats of political violence against opponents…and I think this is something that we must take a clear view of,” he said.