According to the Bishops, government must change from just talk about ending vigilantism and take real action.

Since the NPP took office in January, over 20 acts of violence allegedly perpetrated by youth groups affiliated to the governing party have been recorded.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7EgpZSXasUOpBJhBUAhbRSVPqhFoPQkQ”]However, in most of the cases, there has not been real action that will deter others from engaging in such acts.

The Catholic Bishops Conference in a communiqué issued at the end of its annual plenary assembly, also charged the security agencies to intensify their efforts to end vigilantism.

A part of the communiqué from the just ended Catholic Bishops Conference said “We cannot ignore the fact that, land guards, political vigilante groups and nomadic herdsmen have unleashed violence on Ghanaians for a very longtime. These groups are employed by Ghanaians to protect their property, but often terrorize fellow Ghanaians who have variant interest in the same property. Vigilante groups are creation of some politicians who use them for their political gains. Whilst we commend government for calling on the security agencies to stop the violent activities of land guards, vigilante groups and nomadic herdsmen, we state that we need more action than words. Government must walk the talk. We demand that our security agencies shall disengage these group once and for all.”

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“Law is law, and it must be enforced in this country. So I will ask that if they [vigilante groups] are our members they should stop doing that because people who do that ought to face the rigorous of the law,” he warned in a Citi News interview.

The country has recorded over 20 cases of violence allegedly perpetrated by youth groups affiliated to the governing party since the beginning of the year, 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”AKNQBvYULaqOg8wq3vy8bhgcnrscAxDZ”]Notable among them is the terrorizing of the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei, by members of Delta Force.

Just last week, some rampaging youth believed to be sympathizers of NPP in Gwollu, the capital of the Sissala West District in the Upper West Region, stormed the Assembly and locked up the District Chief Executive, Mohammed Bakor in his office, after they accused the DCE of engaging in “divide and rule” tactics, and failing to address their concerns.

Many especially opposition parties and civil society organisations, have accused government of losing control of the country following the violent attacks perpetrated by the perceived NPP youth groups.

Freddie Blay in the Citi News interview said such cases are regrettable and must not be encouraged by anyone.

“I think it is regrettable and must be condemned. That kind of hooliganism, we must stop it. Whatever it is, government has appointed individuals and given them positions and tasked them to perform some roles in the management of this country. We should respect that, whoever we are; members of our party, supporters should not take the law into their own hands. I will tell all our members in this country particularly party leadership, supporters and the youth that we must discourage that, we must not give a backing to that. We should not encourage young men to do it that way. Directly or indirectly we should stop that.”

He also rejected claims that government is not in control of the country hence such attacks by the party’s members.

He noted that “government is in full control of this. We have asked peace enforcers to take charge of it and do what is appropriate.”

NPP can’t ‘remote control’ vigilante supporters – Sammy Awuku

Meanwhile, the Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammi Awuku, has conceded that his party cannot control all its members across the country, but said they should not be blamed for the rise in acts of political vigilantism.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Awuku however cautioned against treating the increased vigilantism as an NPP matter, and asserted that “we must also treat it as a matter that cuts across the political divide and not limit it to just the NPP.”

“If we also want to play the partisan card, we can give a total recall of hundreds of incidents, but that does not solve the matter,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Naa K. Siaw-Marfo/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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It said the government must first admit the problems the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-affiliated vigilante groups are causing in the country, and find a way to clamp down on their activities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Me2bmUzdYc9Y8XOi1Ta95bnaILhcGSKF”]Speaking on Eyewitness News, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, expressed shock at the violent attacks by the vigilante groups despite the “voice of wisdom” of the President urging them to refrain from all unlawful acts.

“We are done with the elections, we are done with the transition and now everybody is praying that the new administration will have space to govern. You have party members, not the opposition, people from within who have gathered courage and cannot be stopped… What we are saying is that at least the government must admit that all is not well, that the people from their own circle have gathered courage that even when the president has spoken, they can defy the voice of wisdom,” he said.

The commitment of the Akufo-Addo government was called into question following heightened acts of violence  undertaken by vigilante groups affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In most of the instances, arrests are not made, and in the few instances of arrests, the suspects are either released later or serve lenient punishments when they are tried in court.

Critics of the government, who have questioned the party’s commitment in dealing with vigilante groups acting lawlessly in their name, were emboldened last week when another group of rampaging NPP youth, invaded a police station and freed party communicators who were in police custody.

But according to the National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Sammy Awuku, the party cannot be blamed for the lawless acts.

Reacting to allegations of lack of commitment in dealing with the matter, he said the party had not sanctioned any group to carry out any such offense, and that the police must do the needful.

He further called on security agencies to deal decisively with anyone found to have flouted the country’s laws without party considerations.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue, Mr. Loh said: “These things[attacks] send such wrong signals internationally that if we are not careful, we might not even have people willing to do business in this country.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”W88e3tx4yawK8RH1mfHY7llO6gTAwYvI”]There have been a series of attacks by various vigilante groups acting in the name of the NPP, since the party came into office in January 2017.

Nearly 20 illegal actions including violent attacks, have been carried out by these groups, despite verbal warnings from the President and various security chiefs against these unlawful acts,

Recently, some 13 members of the Delta Force, one of the vigilante groups affiliated to the governing party, were sentenced to a fine of GH¢1,800 each for vandalizing property at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, and manhandling the Regional Security Coordinator.

Many have described the sentence as overly lenient and a recipe for more lawless acts.

Punishing culprits

Assigning reasons to these incessant attacks, Mr. Loh indicated that, these incidents had gone a notch higher because culprits “do not get punished for it, so this emboldens them to continue to do what they do.”

He therefore reminded the President to show more commitment in dealing with the canker by cracking the whip on suspects.

“I want to remind President Akufo-Addo that, if for nothing at all, he’s been fighting to be President, and now that he has become President, he should know he has a legacy as a human rights activist and setting up colleges that he prides himself with to protect.”

Military’s involvement needless

Mr. Loh also disagreed with an earlier suggestion by Security Analyst, Dr. Kwesi Anning, that the military should be involved in dealing with these groups, saying it was not within their remit to do so.

“I heard Dr. Anning saying soldiers must be brought in. First, it tells me that the Police administration should be scrapped because their remit is to protect us and ensure order, and if they cannot deal with people then what will be the use of the Police Service… I disagree with Dr. Anning. The soldiers have their remit, they have their role they are supposed to play, they have their training and that is why we keep them in the barracks.”

In Mr. Loh’s view, the most effective way of tackling vigilantism is to “depoliticize” vigilante groups.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to Mr. Loh, these attacks were not rampant under the Mahama administration, considering under Nana Akufo-Addo’s era, people have had the courage to even storm a court and free suspects.

Delta Force 13

It would be recalled that, during the trial of the 13 members of pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force, they were freed from open court by their supposed colleagues, who were angered by the decision of the judge at the time to remand them into police custody.

[contextly_sidebar id=”AMyjJ1Uly6237cBju6pSAvt8EXVjaoFi”]The 13 suspects later turned themselves in to the court, and were made to sign a bond of good behaviour, and fined Ghc2,400 cedis each.

But under rather bizarre circumstances, the eight persons who raided the court, were freed for lack of evidence, a development that was widely condemned, considering the threat that action posed to the judiciary.

The 13 on the other hand, were fined Ghc1,800 each and made to sign of good behaviour for 12 months, when the case finally ended.

This was after their charges were reviewed from assaulting a public officer and causing unlawful damage to rioting.

Following these developments, many have described the fines slapped on the 13 as weak, and a subtle attempt by the government to ensure that the culprits who are members of the ruling party do not spend time in jail.

Speaking on these developments on Citi FM’s News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue, Mr. George Loh said “Nana Addo inherited a country devoid of all these things. He inherited a country that was peaceful. He inherited a country that went to many elections and came out safely. The NDC has been in power for eight years. If you check the records, you will not find even 5 cases of vigilantism. That the NDC’s time, people stormed the courts?”

Citi News has so far reported on about 19 separate attacks by vigilante groups since the NPP came into office.

The incident at Karaga involved an attack on a police station, with protesting members freeing colleagues in custody, whilst the Sissala West incident involved an attack on the District Chief Executive, who was locked up in his office.

These attacks have called into question the President’s commitment to dealing with vigilantism involving party supporters.

Punishing culprits

Mr. Loh indicated that, these attacks had gone a notch higher because culprits “do not get punished for it, so this emboldens them to continue to do what they do.”

He therefore reminded the President to show more commitment to dealing with the canker by cracking the whip on suspects.

“I want to remind President Akufo-Addo that, if for nothing at all, he’s been fighting to be President, and now that he has become President, he should know he has a legacy as a human rights activist and setting up colleges that he prides himself with to protect.”

More assurances; Nana Addo says vigilantes will be dealt with

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo is still reiterating his position that the laws of the country will crack the whip on political party vigilante groups, in spite of the fact that the groups, mostly affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), continue to carry out lawless acts across the country.

Speaking at the 2017 Ngmayem Festival at Manya Krobo on Friday, President Akufo-Addo assured that the law will work without regard for partisan considerations.

“…I want to reiterate the commitment of our government to maintaining the peace and security in of our country. The application of the laws of the land will occur, in the words of the judicial oath, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and without recourse to the political, religious or ethnic affiliations of any citizen of the land.”

“When you fall foul of the law, you will be dealt with accordingly, and the law enforcement agencies, including the Judiciary, must ensure this is done,” he stated without any direct reference to or condemnation of any incident.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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His appeal comes in the wake of incessant attacks by some vigilante groups believed to be affiliated to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZpQvMua0TufaG1S9QOMEjoESrYS4A8Ad”]Mr. Hamid on Point Blank of segment of Eyewitness News indicated that, most of these attacks are usually inspired by anxiety, saying “there is a certain, in my view, anxiety for what they expected to be if you want the spoils of war, so there are quite frankly people who believe they have not gotten their share of their spoils and looking at the way things are going, they are not too sure if they will get their share of the spoils so they would go and cease these spoils by themselves.”

He however believes intense engagement with these groups coupled with some form of assurances from government will bring these attacks to a halt.

“If we engage with our people enough and let them know that the national cake is for everybody and that the President is doing his best to ensure that everyone gets a share of the national cake, I believe somehow, they will be patient and wait for the programmes that we are rolling out that will create the necessary jobs for people in this country.”

“We’ve been here. In fact, the President is the one who has been here for 10 months. Some of us have been here 8 months, some 7 months, so I believe if we are patient, everybody will get their share …I urge them to be patient and to trust this President that he will do his uttermost to ensure that there is room for everyone to participate in the national cake.”

He further indicated that, government intends rolling out some programmes aimed at getting the youth gainfully employed.

“The Youth Employment Agency has talked about how it is planning in the next few months to roll out over 400,000 jobs and so on. The government is planning to do a marshal plan in terms of employment, agriculture, which will all create many more jobs.”

More assurances; Nana Addo says vigilantes will be dealt with

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo is still reiterating his position that the laws of the country will crack the whip on political party vigilante groups, in spite of the fact that the groups, mostly affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), continue to carry out lawless acts across the country.

Speaking at the 2017 Ngmayem Festival at Manya Krobo on Friday, President Akufo-Addo assured that the law will work without regard for partisan considerations.

“…I want to reiterate the commitment of our government to maintaining the peace and security in of our country. The application of the laws of the land will occur, in the words of the judicial oath, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and without recourse to the political, religious or ethnic affiliations of any citizen of the land.”

“When you fall foul of the law, you will be dealt with accordingly, and the law enforcement agencies, including the Judiciary, must ensure this is done,” he stated without any direct reference to or condemnation of any incident.

Attacks on police, DCE

President Akufo-Addo’s call comes in the wake of disturbances in Karaga and Sissala West, perpetrated by alleged NPP supporters, adding to 18 separate attacks reported by Citi News since the party came into office.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to him, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not condone such actions.

Citi News has reported on 18 separate violent attacks perpetrated by pro-NPP groups since the beginning of the NPP administration, the latest being the forceful locking up of some offices at the Karaga District Assembly by some NPP youth.

[contextly_sidebar id=”34zupdZaIuYhuO4jyUKaxdd3YCwYq7RM”]Many have accused the police of reneging on their responsibility in dealing with the surge in such cases.

But speaking to Citi News, Mr. Derry said the police in collaboration with the government, are committed to dealing with these lawless acts head-on.

“…What I can say with pride is that, we are not condoning any actions,” he added.

Ambrose Dery also defended the paltry GHc1,800 fine slapped on each of the 13 members of pro-NPP group, Delta Force, who were hauled before a Kumasi court, after they were captured on a video manhandling the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

We prosecuted Delta Force 13 although they’re NPP – Dery

Mr. Dery believes government has exhibited ample commitment towards the fight against political party vigilantism in the country, considering that they did not shield the 13 members of the pro-NPP vigilante group, Invincible Forces, but rather allowed them to go through the court process.

He noted that “…Vigilantism is real, and the Akufo-Addo government hasn’t run away from it.”

“…Vigilantism is real, and the Akufo-Addo government hasn’t run away from it. This is the government that has taken people that are known as its supporters and sent to court, they went through due process, they were convicted and they were sentenced.

“I’ve heard people say that the sentences are not harsh enough, but let’s put it in context. The law in the kind of offences they were charged with encourages reconciliation and settlements outside. If you put it in that context, we didn’t even allow a settlement of the matter which would have still been within the law. We sent it there, and it’s not our remit. It’s the remit of the judiciary, and the judiciary has taken a decision – they have been convicted, they have been sentenced… so we need to go beyond mere criticism to find out what are the legal limitations in sentencing. What are the considerations in sentencing; but what I can say with pride is that, we are not condoning any actions,” he explained.

He also called on the public to expose politicians believed to be behind these acts, and further warned the youth to be law abiding.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The 13, who were prosecuted for assaulting the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator in March 2017 in protest against his appointment, were finally sentenced to a fine of Ghc1,800 each, and made to sign a bond of good behaviour.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ytv0r2cDLFHEAgUKYWMvtO22Peg5Fl8v”]This was after their charges were reviewed from assaulting a public officer and causing unlawful damage to rioting.

It would be recalled that, during the trial, the 13 suspects were freed from open court allegedly by their colleagues, who were angered by the decision of the judge at the time to remand them into police custody.

The 13 suspects later turned themselves in to the court, and were made to sign a bond of good behaviour, and fined Ghc2,400 cedis each.

But under rather bizarre circumstances, the eight persons who raided the court, were freed for lack of evidence, a development that was widely condemned, considering the threat that action posed to the judiciary.

Following these developments, many have described the fines slapped on the 13 as weak, and a subtle attempt by the government to ensure that the culprits who are members of the ruling party do not spend time in jail.

Mr. Dery however downplayed these suggestions, insisting government prosecuted the 13 Delta Force members although they are believed to be members of the NPP.

He said the government cannot be blamed for the sentence handed to them by the judiciary.

“…Vigilantism is real, and the Akufo-Addo government hasn’t run away from it. This is the government that has taken people that are known as its supporters and sent to court, they went through due process, they were convicted and they were sentenced.

“I’ve heard people say that the sentences are not harsh enough, but let’s put it in context. The law in the kind of offences they were charged with encourages reconciliation and settlements outside. If you put it in that context, we didn’t even allow a settlement of the matter which would have still been within the law. We sent it there, and it’s not our remit.  It’s the remit of the judiciary, and the judiciary has taken a decision – they have been convicted, they have been sentenced… so we need to go beyond mere criticism to find out what are the legal limitations in sentencing. What are the considerations in sentencing; but what I can say with pride is that, we are not condoning any actions,” he explained.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Mr. Anning believes the Military’s involvement will bring an end to the incessant attacks being staged by these groups often in the name of politics.

Making his case on Eyewitness News, Dr. Anning said: “The President of the republic of this country does not represent anymore parochial; party interest. He has a broader interest of Ghana at stake, and it is only a matter of time before he will ask the Military to intervene because if the authority of the President is flouted consistently overtime, this begins to have implications for the stability of the country.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”uHts2pKnQNG8Ddg7ORWWUNwgnkDJbpHM”]“It is imperative that something is done and done in a manner that sends a clear signal to the people of this country that indiscipline cannot be tolerated, challenging the authority of the President is a no go area, undermining the authority of the state will be punished drastically.”

There have been a series of attacks by various vigilante groups believed to be affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since the party came to power in January 2017.

The recent incident saw some irate youth in Karaga in the Northern Region invading a Police station and freeing some NPP members who were in Police custody.

Dr. Anning believes these attacks call for concern, especially when Ghana is surrounded by politically unstable countries that have become breeding grounds for indiscipline and violence.

He believes the violence in these neighbouring countries might eventually infiltrate the country if government fails to act swiftly.

“Let us not forget that we live in a particularly bad neighbourhood. The violence that we see in Burkina Faso, Mali and now neighbouring Togo makes us a small island of stability in a very turbulent and dangerous neighbourhood. It is only a matter of time before these acts of indiscipline and violence, and challenging the authority of the state will be infiltrated, hijacked and this country is going to be threatened.”

Reasons for violence

Mr. Anning also outlined a number of reasons which in his view have contributed to these attacks.

His reasons are listed below :

Violence as political currency: Dr. Anning believes these groups carry out these attacks for “the incentives and payoffs that might arrive thereof.”

Disconnect between the written and publicly stated principles: Dr. Anning also explained that “there is a lacuna in the understanding and expression of party values, so we see that although no party has said they believe in the use of violence, the party activists will use violence and they are hardly ever punished.”

Confusing signals by party officials : According to Dr. Anning “signals that have been sent by party leaders have been confusing, and therefore we see a direct challenge to the authority of the President.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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CODEO and other like-minded civil society organizations after the 2016 general elections, advocated the need for total disbandment of identified political vigilante groups.

These groups are affiliated to the two major political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In furtherance to the call, CODEO has embarked on a nationwide crusade through public engagements.

The organization in Tamale organized a public forum on the theme, “The menace of political party vigilantism and Ghana’s electoral politics.”

CODEO’s National Coordinator, Albert Kofi Arhin at the event, called for a multifaceted approach to deal with the threat.

“Our organisation is embarking on a nationwide public engagement to conduct civic and voter education through Round Table Discussions in all the 10 administrative regions of Ghana.”

“These engagements would also form the basis to collate views from regional level stakeholders on the phenomenon and also develop comprehensive advocacy policy recommendations for stakeholders and relevant institutions to implement.”

Mr. Arhin emphasized that, “The organisation would further seek to organise focus group discussions with some identifiable vigilante group members in selected regions to get a better understanding about the perspectives of their groups.”

Northern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Alhaji Abdul-Razak Saani, revealed that that there were close to 100 vigilante groups recorded in the region.

He alerted that some of them are radical in nature for which reason they should be disbanded.

He added that political vigilante activities are planned, funded and sanctioned by leadership of political parties yearning to win power at all cost.

Alhaji Saani admitted that, civic education deficiency was to be blamed for the sharp increase in political vigilantism.

He attributed the situation to the NCCE’s inadequate staff and logistics saying, “In 2016, the Northern Region NCCE lost 30 staff to death, resignation and retirement. Not a single replacement has been made ever since.”

A representative of the NPP, Sham-Una Ghazi, said the nation’s Muslim Clerics have to condemn the menace which is also widespread in Muslim communities.

According to him, majority of members of the political vigilante groups are Muslim youth, and thus questioned the Muslim Clerics’ leadership qualities exhibited in their sermons.

The NDC’s Northern Regional Director of Elections, Tanko Rashid, alias computer, suggested the need to re-brand the police administration as the Ghana Police Force.

This in his estimation could enable the police administration function like the Ghana Armed Forces for effective crime combating.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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