Political Vigilantism dialogue ends today, parties to submit a road map in 4 weeks

Peace Council with support from technical experts and the two main political parties (NDC, NPP) have welcomed the decision to present a working document on a roadmap to end political vigilantism following reports submitted by various stakeholders at the meeting.

The parties after a tough deliberation reached an agreement on Tuesday May 28, during the fourth and final meeting at Peduase.

Pursuant to the earlier communique signed by both parties to disband and prohibit the utilization of these groups, both parties agreed to ‘tackle the roadmap’ in a period of four weeks.

A code of conduct drafted by the National Peace Council is also to be considered as one of the deliverables in preparing the said roadmap

NDC and NPP earlier agreed to commence discussions with stakeholders and experts including representatives of Civil Society Organisations, Security Agencies, and Religious Bodies on the elimination of Political vigilantism.

To that effect, these experts were given the platform to present an overview of the nature, scope and dangers each face in their quest to deal with the phenomenon as well as possible ways of eliminating the problem

The call by President Akufo-Addo and the Vigilantism bill

The series of meetings in the past weeks facilitated by the peace council, was necessitated by President Akufo-Addo’s call in his State of the Nation Address on the leadership of the two main leading political parties (NPP and NDC) to help find a lasting solution to the menace of political vigilantism in Ghana.

Meanwhile, in a quest to disband and prohibit the further establishment of vigilante groups in the country, a vigilantism bill has been laid before Parliament for consideration and approval by the House.

The said bill has currently been handed to the Constitution, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to be considered under a certificate of urgency.