The Ministry of Interior has given strong indication it would deal ruthlessly with vigilante groups that may want to foment election related violence in the run-up to the general elections.
The two main political parties, the governing National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party have been heavily criticized for endorsing the existence of some vigilante groups affiliated to them.
But speaking at Government for the People Forum in Bolgatanga, Thursday, Deputy Minister of Interior Hon. James Agalga gave the strongest indication that Ghana’s security agencies would not condone any act of lawlessness perpetuated by any vigilante group especially in relation to the 2016 general elections.
Mr. Agalga added that all political vigilante groups in the country have no role in ensuring peace in Ghana hence their existence is not needed before and after the November polls.
“The directive is that political vigilante groups are not to be tolerated in the upcoming elections, we all know them, some of them are in Bolga here I am not going to mention names,” he stated.
The minister’s clarion call comes in a wake of several cases of violence attributed to political vigilante groups in the country. As part of efforts to maintain peace before and after the polls, the minister intimated that it is the sole aim of only the security agencies to provide security in the country.
Mr. Agalga who is a Member of Parliament for Builsa North constituency said President John Mahama has made a promise to ensure free and fair elections come November and hence the peace and security of the country cannot be compromised.
Speaking on terrorism, Mr. Agalga said the Mahama led administrations together with security agencies have taken steps to protect the citizenry against any terrorist attack adding that a special training to combat terrorism by security agencies including the police is ongoing.
By: Joshua Asaah | A1RADIOONLINE.com | Ghana
