Akufo-Addo must live by example on party militia — Minority challenges

President Nana Addo Dankwah Akudo- Addo during the ‘State of The Nation’ in parliament on Thursday accepted that fact political vigilantism has brought great political unrest to the country’s democracy.

In finding lasting solution to the situation, the President called for the leaders of the country’s two main political parties to chart a path in dealing with the situation or he would be forced to intervene by initiating a legislation to stop it.

“I have asked the leadership of the NPP to extend an invitation to the leadership of the NDC for such a meeting on vigilantism. The security services of the country will be on standby to assist this meeting.

If voluntary disbandment by the parties is not feasible, then I will initiate legislation on the matter. Vigorous debate and the exchange of ideas should be the true basis of political dialogue and competition in our country, not the activities of party vigilante groups”, he warned.

According to him, the actions of these party bandits can no longer be tolerated emphasizing the generation unborn will not forgive the current crop of leaders if they fail to curb the menace of vigilantism.

“What was tolerated over the years cannot and must not be accepted anymore. We must not take our peace and security for granted… not for a moment. Our children and grandchildren will not forgive us if we were to compromise our peace and stability. I will not permit that to occur under my watch”, he stressed.

But Mr James Klutse Avedzi in an interview with GBC’s ‘Behind the News’ monitored by MyNewsGh.com advised the President to live by example for other political parties like the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to follow.

“I want the president to live by example. He is the leader of the NPP and it’s the NPP that has all the vigilante groups, Delta Force, Invisible Forces, Kandahar and whatever. He should disband them tomorrow and any other party that have vigilante group will follow suite”, Mr James Klutse Avedzi chided.

“This is not the matter of calling leaders and talk to them. Why do you want to call them again? What are you going to discuss with them? He quizzed

“You are the president, you are the leader. Take action and disband your own then the rest will follow”, he adds.

When asked if he thinks there is the need for the country to pass legislative instrument when there are many laws in the criminal offence Act 1968 he said, there are laws all readily available hence there is no need for a new legislation. Let’s implement the existing laws and disband them”, Mr James Klutse Avedzi noted.

According to him, banning vigilantism is political hence the president has that power to ensure all vigilante groups are banned.

To him, it is not about new laws since a law can be passed in parliament and assented by the president, but if the law is not implemented, the situation will remain the same.

“It is not about a new law, it is about the implementation of new laws”. He added.