NDC, NPP Agree To Boot Out Vigilante Groups…But Sing Discordant Tunes On Where Focus Should Lie

In line with President Akufo Addo’s directive that both parties meet to map out strategy on  how to disband the infamous vigilantes groups eating into the country’s body politics, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), yesterday, met and have both agreed to eradicate and disband all forms of vigilante groups within or associated to their parties.

This came to light after the first meeting between the two heavyweights towards the disbandment of political vigilante groups, which was mediated by the National Peace Council.

A communique issued by the Peace Council after the first round of talks following a call on them by President Nana Akufo-Addo to do so disclosed that the two parties agreed that militia groups were inimical to the growth of the country’s democratic system.

However, “With respect to the immediate focus of the mediation or dialogue, the NDC is of the view that it should be the eradication of ‘political vigilantism in all its ramifications’ while the NPP is of the opinion that the focus should be ‘political party vigilantism in all its ramifications,” Peace Council noted.

The communique read in parts that “The National Peace Council met with key members of the two main political parties in Ghana, namely the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in response to a call by the President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his state of the nation address to eradicate political vigilantism.”

“After an open and exhaustive deliberation, the parties agreed that vigilantism is inimical to Ghana’s democratic system and must be eradicated.

“Significantly though, both parties agree to engage in deliberations aimed at:

1. disbanding vigilante groups operating within political parties or for political purposes

2. prohibiting the ownership, hiring, or utilisation 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 incidents of vigilantism in the country

“It should be noted that the two parties are also committed to exploring other processes in relation to the elimination of vigilantism”.

The two Chairmen of the NDC and NPP, respectively, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and Mr Freddie Blay, signed on behalf of their parties.