CDD lists 'hidden' political vigilante groups

A Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) report has uncovered more violent groups operating in some communities in the country.

The report proves how growing evidence of these party militias from the two rival political parties (NPP and NDC) play active roles leading to electoral violence.

In the communities sampled, the survey found that the Bolga Bulldogs, Burma Camp, Dazota, Invincible Forces and Anointing’s Boys, all affiliated to the governing NPP were active.

The rest are Kandahar Boys, Delta Forces, Bamba Boys and Alidu Mafias.

For the opposition NDC, it was found that The Hawks, Aluta Boys, No Weapon, Salifu 11, Cyborg killers, Taskforce has active operations.

“Acts of vigilantism are used by political parties to undermine electoral processes and gain advantages over their opponents. Some of the groups do not even have a name but they engage in political vigilante activities”.

Since the 2016 general elections, groups such as Eagle Forces, Lions, Dragons, Ashanti vigilante group as well as Green Mambas,, Bolga Bull Dogs, Rasta Boys, Sese Group and many others were also formed.

In July 2019, government passed into law the Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019.

The purpose of the law is to disband political party vigilante groups and forbid acts of vigilantism in the country, following the continuous violence that has characterized the country’s by-elections.

But it appears despite this ban, the activities of these groups are still ongoing in various communities across the country.