Vigilantism: Akufo-Addo’s ‘words of wisdom’ defied – Rev. Opuni-Frimpong

For vigilante groups in the governing NPP to ignore President Akufo-Addo’s advice and continue with their violent attacks is worrying, the Christian Council of Ghana assessed.

General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong therefore wants the leadership of the NPP to take the bull by the horn and rein in these vigilante groups.

He told TV3’s Wendy Laryea on Wednesday’s Midday Live that the party can’t shirk its responsibility and expect the police to deal with vigilantism that is festering in the party.

The Council, he stated, finds it “worrying” that the president was not given space by his own people from “within” the party to tackle core issues facing the country.

Many found the incessant attacks by NPP youth groups disturbing, especially when perpetrators have taken it to the courts, police stations, other state installations as well as party offices and officers.

When the development got to President Akufo-Addo months ago, he warned that vigilante groups “will find no shield in my government from the law“.

But the youth groups appear unperturbed and have shown gross disregard for the president’s resolve to apply the law. “We have had instances of [vigilantism] but it is becoming very worrying.

How many times, has the president raised voice of wisdom to his own people…and it’s like his own people are defying his words of wisdom,” Rev. Opuni-Frimpong observed.

According to him, the fundamental problem leading to vigilantism is the winner takes all politics in the country, whereby supporters of the governing party think it is time to get all the jobs. But that should not be allowed to go on, he demanded.

He charged: “All the big wigs in the party must come together, the constituency chairmen, regional chairmen, youth leaders must come together, this problem is within their domain, they should be able to respond to it, while the law enforcement agencies must also do their thing. “The NPP must not wash their hands and say oh the police, the police.”