An Assessment of Political Party Vigilantism in Ghana’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

Political Party Vigilante Groups (PPVGs) have become a visible feature in Ghanaian politics since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992. PPVGs are mostly associated with the two leading political parties in Ghana – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the current government and opposition respectively. The activities of PPVGs come into prominence during election when they are used by their respective political parties to intimidate voters, protect ballot boxes and police polling stations. In performing these duties, PPVGs tend to take the law into their hands knowing that a ruling party to which they are affiliated will protect them. In serving the interest of their patron parties, however, PPVGs pose a threat to Ghana’s fragile democracy. Not only does the intimidation of voters by political party vigilantism (PPV) inspire fear and prevent electorates from exercising their democratic franchise, it also undermines peace and security through the use of violence. The threat posed to democratic stability compelled the Ghanaian Parliament to enact an anti-vigilante legislation in 2019 (Act 999) which criminalised such activities. However, in spite of promulgation of the anti-vigilante legislation, and in spite of the commitment by political parties to adhere to the dictates of the legislation, PPV continued unabated. There is high level of bad faith or mistrust among the political actors in working closely to disband PPVGs affiliated to their parties. Therefore this study is conducted to unravel the factors accounting for the bad faith posture among the political actors in disbanding their vigilante groups. Using a purely qualitative research methodology, the study sought to explain the poor compliance of political leaders to the call to combat PPV. The study found, among other things, that anti-vigilante legislation was not enough to combat vigilantism. Moreover, widespread mutual suspicion among NPP and NDC along with lack of trust for the electoral management body in Ghana, the Electoral Commission (EC), to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, were part of the reasons for the show of bad faith among political parties. Accordingly, recommendations were made aimed at enhancing the state’s ability to effectively stem the activities of PPVGs in the country.