A Former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur has shared her views on the growing incidence of vigilantism and pockets of violence marring the peace and stability of the country.
She believes president Nana Akufo-Addo, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, is not doing enough to tackle vigilantism which keeps threatening lives and the democracy of the country.
The former cabinet minister said she's disappointed that the activities of vigilante groups keep rising and endangering the country although Ghanaians and civil society groups had raised concerns over them.
Criticizing the government, the human rights lawyer, however, called on Ghanaians to "rise up" and kick against the reluctance of the Akufo-Addo government to disband such party militias from the country.
“If he fails to answer questions, Ghanaians should take it up to the court," she told Mugabe Maase on Inside Politics on Radio XYZ, explaining that the silence and posturing of the ministers in charge of the country's security over the worrying trend only means "the groups will continue to operate with impunity" and cause harm to innocent people.
Madam Oye Lithur was reacting to the latest Joy News exposé that unveiled the activities of a vigilante group associated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) which trains at the former seat of government, the Christiansborg Castle at Osu in Accra.
The investigative journalist, Manasseh Azuri Awuni, exposed the operations of the group known as ‘De-Eye Group’ and said the facility had been used by the militia group for close to two years.
In the documentary which was aired last Thursday, it emerged that sometimes the group offers protection to some state functions. Manasseh also revealed the group provided security at the Accra International Conference Centre on December 7, 2018 when the NPP held the ceremony at Centre to celebrate the legacy and launch a foundation of one of the founding fathers of the party, Simon Dombo.
They manned the gate to the Conference Centre and were everywhere including the main entrances to the Conference Hall.
This programme which had President Akufo-Addo a the special guest of honour was attended by almost everyone who matters in the NPP, including former President H.E John Agyekum Kufuor, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife Samira.
After the documentary was shown, Ghanaians have been wondering whether President Akufo-Addo was really committed to fighting political party millitia in the country as he disclosed when presenting his state of the nation address last month.
But Nana Oye Lithur, who is not convinced the government will disband such groups, argued that the security of the country was being "endangered."
"The peace of Ghana is endangered [and] consistently, we’ve had a certain level of lawlessless, we’ve had a certain level of impunity (in the country)" she said.
To her, the thriving of the party vigilante groups came about when some members of NPP affiliated vigilante group, Delta Force, stormed the Kumasi Circuit Court in April 2017 and freed the members of their group who were facing charges for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.
Disbanding Vigilante Groups
To disband the groups, Nana Oye Lithur stated that the president should support the National Democratic Congress (NDC's) call to commence a dialogue to end the menace of vigilantism before an independent institution that will mediate the process.
“The idea the NDC brought to involve civil society groups in a dialogue to disband Vigilante groups is the correct and accurate way to go," she added and contended that the role of the civil society groups cannot be underestimated in such democratic processes.
She continued: “They (CSOs) have played very strategic role in getting us where we find ourselves…He (Akufo-Addo) knows that the CSOs have helped in deepening our democratic culture."
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listen to this ashawooo woman an infidelity has been your game punk ***barred word*** bloated body
NanaAkufo-Addo said sometime ago that, from 2019 onwards, the NDC will unleash confusion in this country for the love of coming back to power. Very interesting that, they have all started in unison and attacking the president, left, right and centre. NDC MPs, university lecturers, journalist, politicians, business people, students, farmers, etc, etc. They will continue to mount pressure, from all angles, hoping against hope. NPP should be wary and counter them the best way they can.You know, Ghanaians thrive on negative stories.
PRAY THAT YOUR HUSBAND DOES NOT COME TO EXPOSE YOUR INFIDELITY.
SEE WHO IS TALKING..... YOUR HUSBAND IS REQUESTING FOR DNA TEST BE THERE JOKING WITH YOUR MAHAMAH THINKING OF COMING BACK TO POWER
Human rights lawyer telling people to take the president to court.This is purely slow ***barred word***, what is your works as a human rights.Courts are your second home take him to court. After that,you tell Ghanaians how you got money to buy a mansion in South Africa and your former husband is the principal witness.Afiafitor
Did you take your husband to court when you were BEATING him. The MIND GAME of NDC is CLEAR for all to see. After all the fake Elder' Afosu Ampofo said it in his leaked tape. Ghananas are watching and will NEVER vote to INCOMPETENT NDC/Mahama and WILL NEVER go back to Egypt!
Madam I suggest you take him to court yourself.
TALK IS VERY CHEAP. NANA OYE, PLEASE YOU ARE ALSO A GHANAIAN AND CAN TAKE THE PRESIDENT TO COURT. OUR CONSCIENCE WILL BE THE GREATEST JUDGE IF WE REALLY MEAN WELL FOR GHANA. LONG LIVE GHANA.
Let us examine our lives and Vote accordingly. You Vote base on how you fill.
TAKE YOUR HUSBAND TO COURT MTCHEEW!