Disbandment of political vigilantes: Desist from media altercations - CSOs to NPP, NDC

The Civil Society Organisation has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Party (NDC) to end all media altercations over the subject of vigilante disbandment immediately.

The group believes that failure to adhere to this directive will affect the peace and stability of the democracy in the country.

“We call on the NPP and NDC to desist from publications of their correspondence with the president and among themselves in the media.”

The statement convened by the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) indicated that in order to enhance the environment needed to proceed with the dialogue, the two political parties must participate cordially by disassociating themselves from any political vigilantes.

“We call on the NPP and NDC to demonstrate good faith towards the dialogue by formally dissociating themselves from political vigilantes and recommitting themselves to fight against electoral violence, impunity and injustice.”

Their call follows the several media altercations between the two parties over the disbandment of the vigilantes in the country.

The NDC wrote a letter to the president calling for mediators in the dialogue to which President Akufo-Addo responded. He described as disappointing the message from NDC, noting that he sees very “little basis” for some of their requests.

The NDC subsequently has written another letter to the President calling for wider participation in militia disbandment dialogue.

“I am dismayed, and I believe that the Ghanaian people share my dismay, that the two parties who have dominated and continue to dominate the politics of the fourth republic…cannot meet to dialogue on matters of our nation’s governance and political culture without the intervention of outsiders. It is important that we trust in our own capabilities to resolve our own problems.” He said.

The CSOs are however, “appealing to the media and the general public to contribute constructively to the creation of the required atmosphere by exercising circumspection and restrain in their public discourse, especially in these sensitive times….a successful take-off of the dialogue would require technical facilitation and mediation”.