Ban all vigilante groups now

Ghana’s place in democratic governance is recognised the world over. Since the inception of the 4th Republic in January 1993, Ghana has stood tall as a shining example of democracy and its key drivers on the continent.

Relying on the strong pillars of good governance, peace and the rule of law, the country has travelled the path of democracy which has been the envy of many countries.

The change of government on three successive occasions has no doubt helped to deepen the country’s credentials as the Black Star of Africa.

Recent developments in the country, however, tend to take some shine out of the gains achieved so far.

Vigilante politics is gradually taking centre stage in the politics of the country as thugs who have clothed themselves with political party colours unleash terror on innocent people.

Groups such as Invisible Forces, Delta Force, Kandaha Boys, Azorka Boys and Bolga Bull Dogs have emerged within the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and these groups have been in the news for the wrong reason.

But, the current activities of the Invisible Forces and the Delta Force, which are affiliated to the NPP, have muddied the waters even more and posted a bleak future for the country’s peace and security, unless the authorities put their foot down to nip the situation in the bud.

The latest of the despicable acts perpetrated by the Delta Force, which saw some of their members storm the KMA Circuit Court in Kumasi in full force to free 13 of their members who had been remanded by the court, speaks volumes of the dangerous path that we are treading as a country.

It will not be fair to accuse the Akufo-Addo government of having a hand or supporting what the thugs shamefully did.

Nonetheless, once the group operates as an offshoot of the ruling party, the NPP cannot fully extricate itself from the despicable act.

The Daily Graphic believes that internal party discipline must be enforced by the NPP if the party wants to maintain its credibility.

 It is gradually becoming a norm, and regrettable so, that victory in national elections means followers of the victorious party must take over state assets. That is why the Delta Force thinks that one of their members must occupy the position of the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator.

The extent  to which the political vigilante groups are unleashing violence on innocent people is indicative that the state security apparatus has a lot of work to do. What happened in Kumasi was a blot on the image of the police, which can also not escape blame.

Many of these groups have been treated with kid gloves in the past and this cannot continue. It is a test case and the police must move swiftly to bring all such groups to order.

The action of the Delta Force is also an affront to the Judiciary and the rule of law.

That is why the law must take its course to serve as a deterrent to such elements that we will not allow them to take us backwards where rule of men instead of rule of law becomes the order of the day.

All those whose actions led to this shameful development must bow their heads in shame and take steps to assure the nation that never again will such vigilante groups be allowed to visit mayhem on innocent citizens.