Interior minister orders Police to crack down on vigilante groups, bans recording of recruit training

Ghana's Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, has instructed the Police Service to intensify efforts against vigilante groups and prohibit the creation of unauthorized self-defense organizations throughout the nation. He highlighted a rising issue of individuals, political entities, chiefs, and various organizations establishing protective groups, which he deemed a serious danger to national peace and stability.

During the commencement of a regional commanders' conference at the Police Headquarters in Accra, Muntaka appealed to law enforcement officers to remain vigilant and take decisive action against any actions that could jeopardize public order. He expressed concern over a new trend of chiefs, political parties, individuals, and certain organizations forming self-protection forces.

The Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), he emphasized, explicitly disallows any entity other than those sanctioned by the state to organize protective groups. Muntaka firmly instructed commanders to prevent such practices and hold offenders accountable. Furthermore, he issued an immediate order to cease the recording and dissemination of videos depicting recruits' training at security service establishments.

He cautioned officers and trainers against permitting unauthorized content of recruits' training to be shared on social media platforms. Muntaka directed all service commanders to implement suitable measures to prevent unauthorized recording, publication, and circulation of images or videos of recruits during their training sessions.