Yamin denies making 'NDC will not disband vigilante group' comment

Former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Joseph Yamin, has denied making any comment that the NDC will make Ghana ungovernable.

According to him he has also never made any comment about the NDC vowing not to disband their vigilante groups.

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) believed to be one of the founders of the party’s Vigilante Groups, 'The Hawks', Joseph Yammin, has cynically said that the opposition party will not disband the vigilante group on any day.

He said his position is hinged on the fact that the vigilante group is a recognized organ of the NDC.

“The Hawks is a recognized taskforce in the NDC party. They perform their roles like members of the party and provide security for the party,” he revealed.

But speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, the former deputy Ashanti Regional Minister explained that he has never made any comment purporting to create some disaffection for the party in this time when government seeks to disband vigilante groups.

He indicated that the last time he spoke on a radio station was on the 6th of March, and that he never said anything in relation to politics so he is surprised why some newspapers will attribute something like that to him.

However, in a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, he indicated that the party has taken notice of several media publications attributed to a member of the party, Mr. Joseph Yammin under the headline: “NDC WILL NOT DISBAND HAWKS TODAY, TOMORROW OR EVER.”

"The Functional Executive Committee of the NDC wishes to state unequivocally that the above statement does not in any way represent the views and/or position of the party," the statement said.

"The party wishes to reiterate its unwavering commitment to the process of disbanding all political vigilante or party militia groups in the country.

Our position on this issue is a matter of public record and has been extensively spelt out in recent correspondences from our National Chairman, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo to the President of the Republic of Ghana.

As a law abiding and peace-loving party, we will continue to support and participate in any effort aimed at ending the culture of political violence.

The party takes a strong view to this issue and has since invited Mr. Joseph Yammin to clarify the said reportage.