Political vigilantism now an organised threat to Ghana’s elections – National Security Coordinator

National Security Coordinator COP Osman Abdul Razak has cautioned that political vigilantism, once a grassroots mobilization tool, has transformed into organized entities that pose a severe threat to Ghana's electoral system and national security. During the Election Watch Ghana dialogue on vigilantism on August 25, Abdul Razak outlined how this phenomenon has progressed from informal party youth movements to structured groups equipped with uniforms, command structures, and sometimes weapons.

He emphasized that this evolution threatens Ghana's democratic processes, constitutional order, and the peaceful transfer of power.

Tracing the origins of political vigilantism to the 1950s, Abdul Razak noted how what started as a noble act of youth mobilization for party visibility has, over time, devolved into election-related violence that directly undermines state security by intimidating opponents and disrupting electoral processes. He stressed that government should address this matter with more than just a law-and-order approach, warning that such violence could erode public confidence in electoral systems, weaken trust in governmental institutions, and jeopardize Ghana's democratic stability.

The National Security Coordinator highlighted the 1992 Constitution, which grants the authority to organize and deploy state security forces to the state. He warned that groups attempting unauthorized security operations could jeopardize lawful state authority. He cited activities such as ballot box protection, armed patrolling, seizure of property, detention, and community intimidation as behaviors that could erode state legitimacy.

In response to the growing concern, Abdul Razak pointed out the passage of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), as a timely measure to tackle the burgeoning issue. He clarified that the law's aim is not merely to disband party youth groups but to ban the formation, organization, recruitment, training, arming, funding, and backing of vigilante groups involved in political vigilantism.

Abdul Razak framed the legislation as a bipartisan recognition of the threat posed by political vigilantism to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political leanings.

The coordinator also praised political parties for increasingly relying on the Ghana Police Service for security during internal elections and primaries. He commended the Inspector-General of Police and the personnel of the service for their professionalism in assuming such responsibilities, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the security sector. Abdul Razak urged sustained commitment to enforcing Act 999 and strengthening democratic governance anchored in peace, legality, and public confidence.