<<Print>>

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to ending political vigilantism in Ghana as the nation celebrates its 62nd Anniversary.

Speaking at the 62nd anniversary celebrations held for the first time in Tamale, Northern Region on the theme: "Celebrating Peace and Unity", President Akufo-Addo hoped that the impending dialogue between the two parties will succeed.

"The very concept of political violence is offensive and shames us all who are in politics. That is why I am determined that hopefully the impending dialogue between the two major political parties; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who between them regularly take 95 percent of the votes in elections; who have provided all the seven governments of the fourth republic and who are the only two parties represented in parliament should succeed. I will spare no effort including the initiation of relevant legislation to ensure that we rid our nation of politically related violence," he indicated.

If you may recall, President Akufo-Addo while presenting his State of the Nation Address in Parliament asked the two major political parties: NDC, NPP to meet to find ways of disbanding vigilante groups affiliated with them. He said if this is not done, he will initiate a legislation which will deal with vigilantism in the country.

"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 phenomenon 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," the President said.

While the proposed meeting is yet to be held, the NDC wrote a letter to the President calling for others to be included in the meeting.

A letter written by the party's National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo said: "all political parties, civil society organizations, representatives of the media, representatives of the military, police and other security agencies, as well as any other relevant stakeholders".

"In addition, in view of the often recurrent mistrust and suspicion that characterize such interactions by political parties, and the pain and suffering that vigilantism may have created especially in the recent past, it is of the utmost importance that a mediator with national credibility be appointed to drive the entire process in that regard, my party, the NDC, propose that the National Peace Council be appointed as the mediator for such a meeting."

However, the President in a statement responded saying he is "not aware of any vigilante groups that are associated with any of these bodies, as your letter suggests. Political party vigilante activity in the country has, unfortunately, been associated with the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. I, thus, see little basis for your request.”

"Secondly, your request for mediators and facilitators of the dialogue. I am dismayed, and I believe that the Ghanaian people share my dismay, that the two parties who have dominated and continue to dominate the politics of the Fourth Republic, who between them have garnered at least 95% of the votes in each of the seven (7) general elections of the Fourth Republic, who have provided all seven (7) governments of the Fourth Republic, who are the only parties currently represented in the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic, cannot meet to dialogue on matters of our nation's governance and political culture, without the intervention of outsiders, including foreign entities, no matter how well-meaning" Click to read more