Political Party Vigilantism

Vigilantism means, in the most diffused popular acceptance, to take the law in one’s hands, a sort of do-it-yourself justice when resorting to all other established means fails. Etymologically, to be ‘vigil’ means to be in a constant state of alert, and therefore vigilantism would denote a phenomenon where groups organise in order to detect dangers. The history of political party vigilantism can be traced to the pre and post-independence era and has its roots in the country’s independence movement from British colonial rule. The Convention People’s Party and the National Liberation Movement were engaged in fierce political struggles over whether Ghana should be a federal or unitary state. The struggle involved violent vigilante activity by elements on both sides.

Political party vigilantism has dominated the airwaves of Ghana in recent times with most opinion leaders pointing accusing fingers at political parties and security agencies for their in ability to deal effectively with this threat. With 2020 general elections fast approaching, one cannot dispute the scare the rampant occurrence of political vigilantism in our country Ghana. It appears political vigilantism cannot be separated from the road to jubilee house, since their root of formation is the two major political parties in the country, that is the New Patriotic Party and the National democratic Congress . Several types of this phenomenon can be distinguished. Fundamentally, the types are related to the intended purpose of vigilante action, three such purposes appear to predominate: crime control, social group control and regime control . Vigilantes flout the rule of law, effectively becoming lawmaker, police officer, judge, jury, and appellate court for the cause they are pursuing. The public outcry against the illicit activities of these vigilant groups has not only mounted intense pressure on the government but most especially the national security apparatus as well.

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This paper is to examine Political Party Vigilantism and its security implications. I take you through the origin and backgrounds of political party vigilantism and talk about the causes, impacts and my recommendations for solving this menace.

The aim of this document is to examine the activities of Political Party Vigilante groups, its security implications and causes with a view to making recommendations.

Lack of trust in governance. Trust in government has been identified as one of the most important foundations upon which the legitimacy and sustainability of political systems are built. Trust is essential for social cohesion and well-being as it affects governments’ ability to govern and enables them to act without having to resort to coercion. Whenever a political party comes into power, they tend to use the power for their own personal gain and as such whenever it is time to vacate office, it is very difficult for the party because they are scared same would be done to them and as such they resort to vigilante groups to protect their interest. Core levels of trust in government are necessary for the fair and effective functioning of government institutions – such as adherence to the rule of law, or the delivery of basic public services and the provision of infrastructure

Increase in the Rate of Unemployment and Poverty. According to Dr. Kwesi Aning Director in charge of Academics and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) 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. These vigilante groups offer the youth and opportunity to make money instead of remaining unemployed and sitting at home. During unemployment, there is no income, which leads to poverty. The burden of debt will increase, leading to economic problems. Individuals who are unemployed and living in poverty commit many crimes.

Loss of Trust in the State Agencies. Political parties, especially the opposition parties have lost some level of trust in state agencies such as the Ghana Police service and the electoral commission. There is no trust in our police to guard and protect various ballot boxes across the country and neither is there faith in the electoral commission to hold a free and fair general. This comes about as a result of the government in power appointing its electoral commissioner as well as its members. The Inspector General of Police is chosen by the party in power which means the affairs of the police might be also controlled by the party in power. As a result, these political parties have trained their people who are willing to do anything for them. The countries democracy and pride as a peace loving country is gradually deteriorating.

Reaction to a security vacuum left by the state. Political party vigilantes have taken the role of party security apparatus. They are often trained as security agents for their party before, during and after elections. Some of them are trained to protect the leadership of their party especially when that party is in opposition for the lack of trust in the state security agencies. In April 2016, three South African ex-police officers contracted to train the security detail of the NPP flag bearer, and running mate were arrested deported by the government for their actions. Again, at an NPP rally in the Northern Region in October 2016, the Regional Chairman of the party, Mr. Bugri Naabu stated that the ballot boxes would be protected by ‘macho' men to prevent the ruling NDC from rigging the elections on December 7 . Also, during the 2012 general elections NDC took about 60 members of a group known as the ‘Unbreakable Group', a youth grouping made up of well-built men (macho men) to protect ballot boxes in several polling stations at Ho in the Volta Region which contributed to their victory in the elections . Again, on 7 December, 2016, whilst voting was going on some vigilante youth group in Nhyaeso with the help of the Political Vigilantism in Ghana’s Fourth Republic police arrested two men who attempted to snatch a ballot box at the polling station .

The Desire to win by any means. Political Parties will do whatever it take to win general elections in Ghana. One of the main reasons for these Vigilante groups is to serve as agents for the distribution and spread of party manifestos and ideologies to the electorates especially in remote parts of the country in what is known as “door-to-door campaign”. In all the seven general elections conducted in the fourth republic, these vigilante groups were present at many homes in remote parts of the country supporting their various political parties. On the NPP side, their foot soldiers were instrumental in all the electoral victories chalked by the party in 2000, 2004 and 2016 general elections. For instance, at a meeting of over a 1000 foot soldiers prior to the 2008 general election the National Coordinating Director of the Foot Soldiers Association (FOSWA) of the NPP stated that it was the “immense political strategy” of these foot soldiers, which won the NPP in power in 2000 and 2004. It was their vigorous campaign from house to house to get reluctant voters to vote which made voters come out in their numbers.

Violence and Human right Abuses. Political vigilantism has been characterised by physical and human right abuses over the decade. These illegal and violent acts have filled our political atmosphere with tension, rancor and acrimony. The presence of these foot soldiers at party conferences, polling centers produces a scary feeling among citizens of the country and we can all just wonder what will happen in the upcoming 2020 general elections. For example on 24 March, 2017, the Delta Force of the NPP stormed the premises of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and demanded the removal of the Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei. In the process, they inflicted multiple injuries on the victim and but for the timely intervention of the police, serous casualties would have been recorded . Because of this some 13 thirteen members of the Delta Force were arrested for trial in court. However, other members of the vigilante group forcibly freed them during their trial at the Kumasi Circuit Court on 20th April 2017. Similarly, after the 2012 elections, there were reports of harassment, intimidations and violation of voting procedures in the Ashanti, Greater Accra and Northern Regions .

Fear and Panic. Fear and panic associated with political party vigilantism is largely about the destruction of individual as well as social and political structures of a society. In a society where political party vigilantism is common, a variety of processes, control and structures are developed. These can manifest in other diverse forms such as political opinions that preach violence or the exclusion of others, interpersonal aggression, demonization of those perceived as other, discrimination, intolerance of the views of others, undemocratic forms of social control, together with psychological and physical harm. Political party vigilantism often aims to undermine social relationships between individuals, as well as between individuals and society.

Threatens Our Democracy. Apart from the fear their activities put in us, they have also fueled polarization in Ghana’s body politics and has undermined the nations drive towards democratic maturity. Political vigilantism threatens stability in Ghana. Although Ghana has attained a step forward as a model of democracy, and has seen several peaceful transfers of political power from one government to another, the problem vigilante groups pose cannot be overlooked. Ghana’s democratic progress is being undermined by the vigilante related activities as they contradict the characteristics of democracy. Democracy is still considered the standard model of a modernised society and it’s used in describing civil and economic progress. Democracy does have its disadvantages but as compared to political vigilantism and dictatorship, Ghana is better off as a democratic state.

Financial Loss to the State. Another threat posed by political vigilantism to Ghana’s democracy is the vandalisation of state or public properties by vigilante groups. For instance, in May 2010, some NPP foot soldiers in WA in the Upper West Region vandalized properties belonging to the party to register their displeasure over the award of a contract to members of the NDC . Also in 2011, some vigilante groups claiming to be affiliated to NDC burnt down a party office to show their displeasure with a court ruling that saw the release of some persons accused of the murder of a prominent chief in the region. Again in May 2011. Some NDC vigilante group attacked the office of the mayor of Tamale and destroyed office equipment including furniture, stationery, exhibition stands and computers as protest against a decongestion exercise in the city.

Undermining Legitimacy of electoral results. These vigilante groups sometimes coerce and forced voters to vote for a candidate they do not believe in and this can undermine elections. With the presence of violence, voters for fear of the safety of themselves and their families may opt not to register for the elections and just stay away from anything that has to do with the elections. Some presidential candidates may withdraw from standing for the general elections due to threats they receive from these vigilante groups. Most often, observers are sent to observe a countries general election and as such when issues of violence occur, it undermines the legitimacy of a countries elections and elected Leaders. Elections with high degrees of conflict or continuous violence may slow the consolidation of democracy.

Indeed, Ghana is bigger than any political party in the country and much bigger than political vigilante groups but the dangers and threats these small groups pose to our country can cost us our peaceful country. It is very crucial for all and sundry, irrespective of one’s tribe, religion or political affiliation, to make effort to guard and protect the image of Ghana not only as an oasis of our continent but also as the only home that our forefathers toiled and shed their blood for.

The Electoral commission should be an independent body, devoid of political interferences. There should be a body responsible for their appointment other than the political parties. If this is done, the EC will be able to carry out a fair and transparent election so that the political parties will have no need to raise their own armies to police the election process.

The government should create decent job opportunities and an enabling environment for businesses to succeed, longer-term strategies must address the issues of unemployment. It will be difficult for one to leave his productive work for vigilante activities, which have high risks. The public as well as the two leading political parties have agreed to curb this menace. Recently, the president Nana Akuffo Addo promised not to ignore the rampant phenomena. He has called on a voluntary disbandment of the vigilante groups by the two major parties themselves.

Non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and chiefs should counsel our youths to understand the need to forgo political vigilantism for the development and the promotion of peace in our country. They must find the financiers of these vigilante groups and have a discourse with them. They must dialogue and reach an agreement to disband these vigilante groups, which will explode eventually to destroy lives and properties.

The Electoral Commission should fine anyone who willfully obstructs the commission or interferes with the commission in the discharge of its functions. Article 13 of Electorate Commission Act 451 of the 1992 Constitution. Clearly, the Electoral Commission has the mandate to whip on political party vigilante groups. Once the commission does not remain quiet on vigilante related activities and exercises its powers in sectioning perpetuators devoid of favouritism, the citizenry will rebuild their trust in them and rely on them for a free, fair and transparent election.

The police service should be decentralised to improve community-police relations and the current political appointment of police chiefs should be replaced by a competitive recruitment process. they exist to protect citizens and not to shield wrong doings. The police must also stop handling all cases of political vigilantism with soft hands. Those caught and found guilty should be punished severely to serve as deterrence to others who intend to follow their footsteps. Police commanders who fail to ensure arrest of people caught in this vigilante related violence must also be sanctioned and demoted.