The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been accused of playing “hide-and-seek” with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of a meeting to discuss the disbandment of party militia.
NDC communications team member, Mr Bernard Anim Piesie argues that given the contradictory posture of the NPP executives; it is obvious they are not committed to disbanding their militia group.
The NPP has officially written to the NDC to dialogue on ways to disband vigilante groups affiliated to them.
The invitation was necessitated not only by the President’s call during the 2019 State of the Nation’s Address, but also by the legitimate concerns expressed by many Ghanaians about the menace, and the need for the two political parties to do the needful in the interest of the nation.
The ruling party proposed the meeting comes off this week at a time and venue convenient to the NDC.
But speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, 'Dwaso Nsem' Wednesday, the communications member said the NPP should demonstrate commitment by first disbanding its militia group.
Political vigilantism, he said, has bared its teeth in Ghana in recent times, and notable among the groups that have caused mayhem, he recalled, are Delta Force and Invisible Forces affiliated to the NPP.
The NDC man stated that vigilantism is a crime, hence the police ought to deal with those who attack people and destroy property under the guise of vigilante groups.
The police, he averred, do not need a directive from the President or Minister of Interior to carry out their mandate.
He called on the government to move beyond talks and take bold steps to curb the menace.
Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline/[email protected]
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I think I understand the rantings of the NDC on vigilante menace in this country. NDC has been the best beneficiary of vigilantes since Rawlings bumped unto the political terrain. Rawlings is 'The Father' of Vigilantism in Ghana. He created CDR, WDC, Militia, Workplace CDR, Military and Police CDR, ACDR, and many more.(CDR is Committee for the Defence of the Revolution; WDC is Workers Defence Committees, ACDR is Association of CDRs). These groups operated all over the country, with their major objective to intimidate the people, snatch ballot boxes, beat people going to vote in opposition strongholds, and win power for the NDC in all elections. They have changed into other forms according to the situation on the ground. I don't think NDC can win political power in Ghana without these vigilante groups. They fear if Vigilante groups are permanently banned in Ghana, they would be seriously exposed and will have no strategy for 2020. They will fight hard to scuttle this meeting with the NPP, turn round to accuse the NPP and finally boycott everything connected with vigilante ban. Just wait and see.