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Many were the calls for President Akufo Addo to speak on the disbandment of political vigilantes in the country.

Responding to this call during his third State of The Nation Address in Parliament, Thursday, President Akufo-Addo said “The time has come to put an end to the phenomenom of politically-related violence,” he said, adding that “our children and grandchildren will not forgive us” if the country’s peace and security is undermined.

According to him, he has called for a meeting between the leadership of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to chart a path in ending the phenomenon of vigilante groups in the country and that if that doesn't work, he will initiate legislation in the matter.

"I want to make a sincere passionate appeal to the leaders of the two main political parties in our country – NPP and NDC – to come together as soon as possible, preferably next week, to agree on appropriate measures to bring an end to this worrying and unacceptable phenomenom of vigilantism in our body politic . . . the Security Services of the country will be on standby to assist this meeting. If voluntarily disbandment by the parties is not feasible, then I will initiate legislation in the matter," he stated.

According to him the only way in our system to deal with such a situation is through the work of the Commission of Inquiry.

I hope the findings and recommendation of Emile Short Commission will enable us to chart a path to ending violence in our country.

Background

The issue of vigilantism has been an albatross on the neck of the country.

The vigilante groups normally made up of heavily built men often cause mayhem and disrupts activities, not in their favour.

Some of these groups are Azorka boys, The Hawks, Invincible Forces, Delta Forces among others.

Calls to disband these groups increased after the Ayawaso by-election which led to the injury of about 16 people and the Kumasi shooting incident which led to the death of one person.