NDC’s endorsement of vigilantism saddening – NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has hit back at the National Democratic Congress for its “endorsement” of a new vigilante group that has sprung up in the party.

In a statement Thursday, the NCCE said the development is a sad one and should be discouraged at all cost.

“The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) notes with concern, the endorsement of vigilante groups especially in the quarters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), giving impetus to entrenching political party vigilantism,” the statement said.

“The Commission is saddened by this development which goes contrary to nationwide condemnation of political party vigilantism prior to the 2016 general election,” it added.

The NCCE’s statement comes in reaction to comments from the General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) which endorsed some lawless youth groups.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, otherwise known as General Mosquito, told Joy News’ Kwesi Parker-Wilson, the emergence of groups like Hawks is “an appropriate natural response” to the failure of the Akufo-Addo government to rein in its party vigilante groups.

“I endorse it fully”, the NDC mastermind refused to condemn the Hawks who emerged at the Ashanti Regional congress last Saturday. Other groups include ‘The Dragons’ based in the Brong Ahafo Region and ‘The Lions’ based in the Eastern Region.

Asiedu Nketia told Joy News, although the party has not formed any such group it welcomes its creation because “self-preservation is the first law of nature”.

The NCCE has, however, discouraged the tolerance of these vigilante groups both in the governing New Patriotic party and the NDC.

“All political parties especially the NPP and NDC must disband existing vigilante groups with immediate effect. Security agencies must be proactive in clamping down such illegal groups,” NCCE noted.

“We urge political parties to use their influence to promote adherence to peace and order among all groups in the country in order to safeguard the peace that we are enjoying,” the constitutional awareness body wrote.