Unemployment cause of political vigilantism – Dr Aning diagnoses

The Director in charge of Academics and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) has said the issue of unemployment in the country is a motivating factor to activities of vigilante groups.

According to Dr. Kwesi Aning, the non-existence of jobs for the youth leads them to find alternative means of benefitting from the public purse since they do not have any means of livelihood.

Speaking at the 3rd edition of the Accra Dialogue under the theme ‘The Scars of Vigilantism: A Legal of Political Question?’, the renowned security expert said vigilantism threatens the legal and political security of Ghana. Dr. Aning expressed worry at the contradictory posture of Ghana’s two major political parties in dealing with vigilante groups.

“None of the two major political parties in the country have their stance on vigilantism stated in their manifestoes to send a strong message out to these vigilante groups.” This he said empowers the groups with boldness, consistency and the ability to decentralize their activities across the country.

Dr. Aning further emphasized the need to understand how people are recruited into these groups.

“We must link what is happening to the wider West African sub region; understand the level of loyalty and methodology for induction of people into vigilante groups.”

He underscored the need to pay particular attention to family systems as a country in order to raise kids that are not tempted to engage in violent activities.

Political vigilantism has reared its head in Ghana in recent times. Notably among the groups that have caused mayhem are Delta Force and Invisible Forces, affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Dr Aning observed that about 17 vigilante groups – consisting of six NPP-affiliated ones and 11 National Democratic Congress-affiliated ones – are known to operate in Ghana.