A member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western Region, John. M. Essien popularly known as as Popo One has opined that the party would be recruited vigilante group called 'The Hawks' to intimidate the NPP members in Ellembelle Constituency and other Constituencies.

Commenting on the newly NDC vigilante group 'The Hawks' on social media, the member of the Western Regional NDC Communication team said,the vigilante group would be helpful to the party in the Region.

He indicated that, the party had plans of recruiting 'The Hawks' in the party but first in the Ellembelle Constituency in bid to scare their opponent the ruling NPP.

He also emphasized that he would personally recruit 'The Hawks' and make Ellembelle a no go area for the NPP.

"I, Popo 1 will personally recruit The Hawks in Ellembelle by 2020 to make Ellembelle a no go area for the NPP,he wrote.

According to him, plans were underway to make the Ellembelle constituency a no go area for any political party by 2020.

His remarks has posed a serious threat to the NPP in the Region especially in Ellembelle Constituency.

BACKGROUND

In 2012 and 2016 general elections, the NDC recruited some youth and trained them to protect ballot boxes for the party in Ellembelle and they were named Actions Boys.

The NPP at that time complained bitterly that the Action Boys were recruited to intimidate them not to protect any ballot box.

On Saturday, 28 April, 2018, two heavily-muscled men in black T-shirts branded as ‘The Hawks’, were seen carrying out security duties at the party’s Unity Walk held in the Ashanti Region.

Reports from the grounds of the unity walk indicate that The Hawks coordinated the event.

After the Unity Walk some members of the party have endorsed the vigilante group hence welcome it as good move.

Notably is the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ejisu-Juabeng, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh who endorsed the group and promised to use them in 2020 general elections.

'The vigilante group that has emerged in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will provide security for the party and its officials while in opposition'Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh, has said.