NDC Signs Vigilantism Eradication Document

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has finally signed the comprehensive roadmap designed by the National Peace Council to deal with the surge of political vigilantism in Ghana.

The NDC made a U-turn from its previously held stance in February this year that, only 4 out of the 22 recommendations in document had direct bearings on political parties. And that, the appropriate bodies to sign were not present as at the time.

However today, represented by the party’s National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the document was signed in the presence of the Chairperson of the National Peace Council and other executives.

Ofosu Ampofo charged the Peace Council to ensure strict adherence to the roadmap.

“We are prepared to go the full hog with the road map and the peace accord but we have indicated in our signing of the 22 key deliverables set out by the peace council under the code of conduct and the peace accord that the political parties can only enforce four, the remaining 18 are enforceable by government and so it will take commitment on the part of the government to ensure that we realise the code of conduct and the peace agreement that we’ve signed.

“For us, we don’t see the commitment on the part of the government because when the Emile Short committee was set up, key recommendations were made. We thought that it was an opportunity for government to show commitment to the fight against vigilantism. All those who were culpable and found guilty by the commission have been left off the hook. Those who were seen beating and slapping people who came and confessed that they did that act have all been freed and no action has been taken against them.

“No part of the Emile Short Commission recommendation even to police officers who misconducted themselves and to other security agencies who did what was against the law have been left off the hook. So we are committed but we are saying that it takes two to tango…” Ofosu Ampofo Noted

But the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) had no reservations about the document.

General Secretary of the party, John Boadu who signed it in February said the timing is right and with a law banning the activities of political vigilantism, the document will serve as a good reference point for them.

“We believe that if all actors will make sure that our members are restricted to our core duty of ensuring that we propagate what we believe in, and through lawful means win power from the mandate of the people and also have the opportunity to implement what we believe in, I think that we will be able to reach a level where we will reduce the menace to its barest minimum.”