Vigilantism Needed To Be Stopped . . . Akufo-Addo’s Call, Right - Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says President Akufo-Addo's call for the disbandment of vigilante groups in the country is a call in the right direction.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo while presenting the 2019 State of the Nation Address, Thursday, in Parliament, called on the leadership of the two main leading political parties, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to help find a lasting solution to the menace of political vigilantism in Ghana.

“The time has come for us to put to an end to politically-related violence,” he said, adding that “Our children and grandchildren will not forgive us” if the country’s peace and security is undermined.

He added that if the political parties are not able to chart a path to end vigilantism, he will initiate legislation that will curb their (vigilante groups) activities.

Former President Kufuor speaking in an interview with Class FM, Friday morning said the canker of vigilantism needs to be suppressed before it becomes uncontrollable.

"He (Akufo-Addo) did right . . . to me the first really important matter is security, from there you get stability and peace. This strange development of vigilantism which seems to be evolving needed to be stopped before it becomes a real monster for us," he said.

According to him, the President was also right to call on the political parties to help in this matter; 'not leaving out his own political party'. 

Meanwhile, he has also asked that the Emile Short Commission of Inquiry be allowed to do its work

The Commission was set up to look into what caused the violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.

It is chaired by Justice Emile Short and has Henrietta Mensa Bonsu, a renowned professor of law, and Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, a former Inspector General of Police as members.

Ernest Kofi Abotsi, former Dean of the Faculty of Law of GIMPA and private legal practitioner, is the Secretary to the Commission.