The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Akosua Frema Opare has assured personnel of the Ghana Police Service that the impending vigilantism law will aid the fight against politically motivated violence.
President Akufo-Addo has caused an anti-vigilantism and related offences bill to be laid before Parliament while the NDC and the NPP are also engaged in bi-partisan talks aimed at disbanding all vigilante groups.
Speaking at this year’s Annual WASSA celebration organized by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service, the Chief of Staff said the law when enacted, will help the Police deal with vigilante groups without fear of political victimization.
“I want you to be professional, be bold, be fair and firm irrespective of the ethnic, political and economic standing of the personalities involved in such crimes. It is heartwarming to note that the President has sent a bill on vigilantism to Parliament.”
“This clearly demonstrates how important this matter is to the nation. When this bill is passed into law, it certainly will assist you to work more diligently and efficiently.”
The government has presented to Parliament, a Bill outlining how it intends to deal with political party vigilantism in the country.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo laid the legislation on behalf of the government.
President Akufo-Addo declared that his government will use legislation to address political vigilantism if the two main political parties fail to resolve it through dialogue.
The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee, indicating that the Attorney General and government had made an express request to have the legislation considered under a certificate of urgency.
NPP, NDC agree to end political vigilantism
The two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) earlier this week met for the first time to dialogue and find out ways to end political vigilantism in the country.
The dialogue was mediated by the National Peace Council.
The NPP and the NDC among other things also agreed to stop the ownership, hiring and the utilization of vigilante and or militia groups by political members.
The chairman of the meeting, Samuel Kwadwo Boateng Asante told the media that: “After an open and exhaustive deliberation, the parties agreed that vigilantism is inimical to Ghana’s system and must be eradicated.”
“Significantly, both parties agreed to engage in deliberations aimed at :1.Disbanding vigilante groups operating within political parties or for political purposes. 2. Prohibiting the ownership, hiring or utilization of such groups by the political parties or members thereof; 3.Cooperating with state agencies and stakeholders in the total eradication of such groups or incidence of vigilantism in the country,” he added.
Ministers, MPs who violate anti-vigilantism law won’t be spared- Nana Addo
President Nana Akufo-Addo on Friday warned that persons who break the soon to be passed anti-vigilantism law will be severely dealt with irrespective of their social or political status.
Whilst mounting a spirited defence for the vigilantism bill, Nana Akufo-Addo was optimistic that the law will eradicate the activities of political militia groups once and for all.
Speaking at Sankore in the Asunafo North District of the Ahafo Region as part of his 4-day tour of two new regions in that part of the country, Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that vigilantism will not be experienced in the 2020 elections.
“The Bill, when passed, will ensure that not only the people who are inciting the violence will be punished, but also the powerful people behind them will face the full extent of the law. Once Parliament passes this bill, everyone involved in vigilantism will face the law – whether you are a Minister, Regional Minister, MP or not, once you are implicated, you will be prosecuted,” he added.
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By: citinewsroom.com
