Ending Political Party Vigilantism: Akufo-Addo Directs AG To Draft 'Vigilantism Legislation'
The President HE Nana Akufo-Addo has in fulfillment to his promise to introduce new legislation to deal with political party vigilantism, ordered the Attorney-General to draft a bill “as soon as possible”.
This directive was contained in a reply to the second letter from the NDC's Chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, over the party’s reservation to the approach in dealing with the menace of party vigilantism as suggested by the President.
The NDC is asking for CSOs, ECOWAS, AU and other international bodies to mediate a meeting between the two major political parties in their bid to end party vigilantism that has become a national concern.
Though both parties are ready to meet, they have not agreed on the mode. A situation that is forestalling the process.
Below Is The Full Statement
This is to acknowledge receipt of your most recent letter, dated 11`" March, 2019, and thank you for its contents. My response to it is in two parts.
Firstly, I note that you have, quite properly, given a copy of it to the Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Freddie Blay. I have asked him to respond to its contents, since he is the rightful person to speak directly for the New Patriotic Party, and I expect that he will do so promptly.
Secondly, since the constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order in our country is that of the Executive, i.e. the President of the Republic, I have, in line with my pronouncement to Parliament during the message on the State of the Nation on 21' February, 2019, instructed the Attorney General, without prejudice to the outcome of the engagement, if any, between the NPP and NDC, to prepare and submit to Parliament, as soon as possible, specific legislation to deal with the phenomenon of vigilantism, and provide appropriate sanctions against its occurrence.
I believe that the parliamentary process of enactment affords sufficient space for any citizen to make an input or contribution to the enactment of a good and effective law, whose implementation will enable us rid our nation of politically-related violence, a development that can only inure to the benefit of Ghanaian democracy and to the preservation of law and order.
Once again, I thank you for the expression of your commitment to ending the vigilante phenomenon in Ghana.
<<Print>>