The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has challenged the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to “actively pursue security agencies and the judiciary to swiftly and decisively prosecute” vigilante groups in the country.
This, according to the Chairperson of the Commission Josephine Nkrumah, will show to the Ghanaian citizenry that the law applies equally to all devoid of party affiliation.
She made the request Monday, October 8 following reports that notorious vigilante group affiliated to governing NPP, Delta Force viciously, attacked a gathering in Tafo-Pankrono with the Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Dr Anthony Akoto Osei in an attendance.
A video of the attack has gone viral. Dr Akoto Osei who is the Member of Parliament for the area was reportedly whisked away to safety after the group inflicted mayhem on supporters who had converged for the gathering.
Reports say the group is upset over the numerous unfulfilled promises made to them by Dr Akoto Osei and the leadership of the party in the region.
Addressing a press conference Monday, Ms. Nkrumah said the Commission is appalled by the emboldening of vigilante groups in the country due to support by political parties.
Speaking directly to the attack on the Monitoring and Evaluation Minister, she said:” Delta Force hoodlums have become notorious for the use of force and violence and total disregard for law and order.
“The commission has repeatedly expressed its revulsion at political party vigilantes particularly of the two main political parties who take the law into their own hands and cause social dislocation. After 25 years of democratic governance, it is unacceptable for these persons to commit such acts that undermine the rule of law and democracy in our country.”
The said “the apparent leniency with which Delta Force vigilantes were handled when they struck at law court to free their fellow perpetrators has further emboldened them to continue to act with such impunity,” thus the need for the governing NPP to actively collaborate with security agencies and the judiciary to clamp down on their activities.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
