Communiqué:  Passage of Vigilantism Bill Not Enough to End Political Violence

Ayawaso West Wuogon violence

Accra, Ghana, November 3, 2020//-A communiqué issued by participants at a day’s stakeholders’ dialogue on ending political vigilantism has stated categorically that the passage of the Vigilantism Bill is not enough to end political violence in Ghana.

To this end, the communiqué signed by Mrs Gladys Addo Osei, Executive Director of Maralitha Care Foundation (MCF), said: “Leadership must ensure that the anti-vigilantism law is applied to the later irrespective of the offender’s status or political affiliation to serve the purpose for which it was passed”.

She added that CSOs, media, moral society, traditional authorities among other stakeholders should be heard loud on the issue of vigilantism in order to protect the security and peace of the country.

The communiqué also noted that the state security institutions should inspire hope and assure the population of their maximum protection before, during and after the election.

They should resist partisan influence and show themselves to be neutral, fair and committed to the colours of the nation, Ghana, it emphasized.

It cautioned that the political parties should not incite their supporters to be violent during the forthcoming elections but rather support the state institutions to do their work professionally in the paramount interest of Ghana.

“All grievances should be directed to the appropriate quarters for redress”.

Political vigilantism is indeed becoming a threat to Ghana’s striving democracy. The issue of political vigilantism in Ghana needs much to be desired.

For instance, political parties whether in government or in opposition form and use vigilante groups who then act on their behalf to perpetrate mayhem on persons or groups considered as opponents, according to the NGOs.

The so called vigilantes engage in riots, violent protests and property destruction; they are known to target elections, intimidating voters or mounting roadblocks to prevent people they termed “outsiders” from voting as part of a well-calculated scheme to disfranchise people they consider opponents to their course.

These vigilante groups are often violent, they target opposition groups and public officials they see as hindrances to their electoral fortunes.

To reduce the debilitating effects of vigilantism, the Government of Ghana has passed the Anti-Vigilantism Bill to punish individuals or group of persons who indulges in anti-social behaviours especially political vigilantism.

Despite the passage of the Vigilantism Act, and the signing of the “Peace Accord” by leadership of the political parties, there seem to be some evidences of political vigilantism in the country.

It is important to note that some constituents in some constituencies witnessed some vigilantism activities and the recent is the clash between the supporters of two main political parties.

Such gradual acts indeed confirmed the heightened of vigilantism in some constituencies in Ghana.

It is in view of the above that, Maralitha Care Foundation (MCF) in collaboration with  Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-GH) and PALI Center for Human Development organized a stakeholders dialogue themed “Ending political vigilantism in Ghana; the role of key stakeholders.

The participants of event held in Accra were drawn from National Peace Council, National Civic Commission of Education (NCCE) , Electoral Commission of Ghana,  security agencies, CSOs, Media, Political  Representatives, Youth Groups, traditional authorities, religious bodies,  among others

The dialogue accorded the respective stakeholders the opportunity to share ideas on how to end political vigilantism in Ghana.

African Eye Report

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