Ghana's National Security Coordinator Warns of Rising Political Vigilantism
The National Security Coordinator, COP Dr Osman Alhassan Abdul Razak, has issued a warning regarding the evolution of political vigilantism in Ghana, stating that it has transitioned from informal party youth mobilization to organized groups that threaten the electoral process and national security. During an Election Watch Ghana dialogue on vigilantism, he noted that what began as youth mobilization for party visibility has developed into structured groups with uniforms, command hierarchies, and in some cases, weapons.
COP Abdul Razak traced the roots of political vigilantism back to the 1950s, when informal party task forces began to emerge. Over the years, these groups have been implicated in election-related violence. He cautioned that such violence should not be viewed merely as a law-and-order issue, as it risks undermining public confidence in elections, eroding trust in state institutions, and threatening social cohesion essential for Ghana's democratic development.
He pointed to the 1992 Constitution, which grants the state exclusive authority to organize and deploy security forces, warning that any groups performing security functions outside this framework undermine lawful state authority. Regarding the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), COP Abdul Razak stated that the law was a necessary response to public concern and civil society advocacy regarding incidents of violence linked to political vigilantism. He clarified that the intent of the law is not to dissolve party youth groups but to prohibit the formation and support of vigilante groups engaged in political activities.
The Chronicle expressed concern over the rise of vigilantism, noting that incidents involving party-affiliated groups confronting state institutions remain fresh in public memory. The editorial emphasized that unchecked vigilantism poses a serious risk to Ghana's Fourth Republic. It also highlighted the role of chronic youth unemployment in creating conditions for recruitment into such groups, suggesting that governments have been slow to address these underlying issues.
The Chronicle raised alarms about individuals associated with vigilante activities seeking positions within state security services and political office, questioning the accountability and impartiality of state institutions. It called for the consistent enforcement of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, urging that accountability be extended not only to those who carry out violence but also to the politicians and financiers who support these groups.
Security agencies must operate independently of partisan influence, and the Police Service should be allowed to function without political direction. The editorial also called for adequate resourcing of oversight bodies like the National Commission for Civic Education and the National Peace Council to promote public education on this issue. Furthermore, it urged the government to confront the economic drivers of vigilantism, particularly youth unemployment, and dismantle patronage networks linking access to state resources with party allegiance.
The Chronicle concluded by urging the national security establishment to address the issue of political vigilantism decisively, ensuring that any politician found to be sponsoring such activities faces legal consequences. It emphasized that a young democracy must not yield to armed factions, advocating for the deliberate and lawful defense of the Fourth Republic.
