In the aftermath of the violence that characterized the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections, there was a general public outcry to banish vigilantism from the body politic of Ghana. Since then, some practical steps such as the passage of the Anti-Vigilantism bill into law have been taken.
Despite the occurrence of pockets of violence in the 2020 general elections, incidents resulting from the activities of political vigilante groups were largely minimized.
Yet, recent indications by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), following its defeat in the 2020 general elections point to a deliberate intention to rekindle the much-repudiated spirit of political vigilantism as part of their grand scheme toward securing
victory, by hook or crook, in the 2024 general elections. Such diabolic attempts are being advanced by leading members of the NDC at the national, regional and constituency level.
Some of such elements of the party championing the introduction of violence as a strategy for winning the 2024 elections are Augustus Nana Kwasi Andrews and AlhajiSaaniAbdulai, Ashanti Regional Chairman and Second Vice Chairman of the NDC, who on July 15, 2021 met members of the Obuasi West Constituency Vigilante Task Force of the NDC to preach violence.
Nana Kwasi Andrews urged members of the Vigilante group to be in readiness as it has been decided by the Party hierarchy that the 2024 election campaign would be spearheaded by all Vigilante Task Forces within the various constituencies nationwide
to secure victory for the party.
The thugs were promised employment in the Ministry of National Security as Operatives, should the Party win the 2024 Presidential elections. Further, Leadership of the Vigilante group was urged to compile a list of all logistics, including guns and ammunition that would be needed during the campaign to be provided by Party hierarchy.
It needs stating that the Task Force is the political vigilante wing of the NDC, and has a membership of one hundred and twenty (120) men. Members of the Vigilante group are currently being used publicly to provide security at mass gatherings of the Party.
