Don't Tag All Political Groups As Hooligans Perpetrating Electoral Violence - Obiri Boahen Tells IGP

Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Obiri Boahen says call by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), David Asante Apeatu to denounce all political parties’ groups is not the right solution to end electoral violence.

He explained that not all the groups engage in violence as claimed by the police head – to him, some see to the daily running of party activities.

Yes, you can say some of these groups engage in violence during elections but some of the groups are of help to the party, they are not hooligans,” he said. 

His comment comes after the Inspector General of Police; David Asante-Apeatu sent a stern warning to leadership of political parties that his outfit will deal ruthlessly with any of their supporters engaging in political vigilantism.

Addressing the media Thursday at the police headquarters in Accra, Asante-Apeatu served notice the police will “not tolerate any form of political violence” going forward.

Denounce vigilante groups,” the ballistic expert stressed.

Asante-Apeatu said the police administration is in the process of “profiling all groups found to be vigilantes” within the political setup.

He added: “Vigilante groups are illegal. Disband them. Only two groups of securities are recognized in Ghana under the constitution; the state security and the private security.”

Speaking on the issue in an interview with NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’, Nana Obiri Boahen who says he does not agree with the IGP’s decision said “Don’t give the dog a bad name and hang it.”

“The police should deal specifically with groups who engage in violence. If they are from the NPP deal with them, if they are from the NDC, deal with them. Don’t tag all groups as hooligans, some are not. The police should be able to distinguish between groups that are maintaining law and order and groups that indulge in lawlessness,” he told host Kwesi Aboagye.