Private security personnel wearing military uniforms creates 'intimidation and fear' — Election Watch Ghana

Election Watch Ghana has condemned reports that private security personnel accompanying a political aspirant were dressed in military uniforms, urging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to sanction any aspirant or party member found to have engaged in the practice.

In a statement dated November 10, 2026, the organisation expressed concern over an incident reported on November 9, involving a political aspirant who was allegedly accompanied by individuals wearing military uniforms while providing private security services.

It acknowledged that political aspirants and party officials could make security arrangements where necessary but insisted that such measures must comply with Ghana's laws and regulations governing private security operations.

Election Watch Ghana warned that allowing private security personnel to wear military or other official state security uniforms could create public confusion, weaken confidence in recognised security institutions and generate an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

“Private security personnel wearing military or other official state security uniforms can confuse the public, undermine confidence in legitimate security institutions and create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear,” the statement said.

The organisation cautioned that introducing security arrangements resembling official state security operations into party politics could establish a dangerous precedent, particularly as the country continues efforts to eliminate political vigilantism and unauthorised security groups.

“We must guard against practices that could normalise political intimidation, misuse of security identities or unofficial security structures within political parties,” it added.

It stressed that internal party elections must be conducted peacefully and transparently, with all aspirants respecting the rights and safety of other members. No candidate, it said, should maintain security arrangements that create the impression of operating a parallel security structure.

The organisation therefore called on the NDC leadership to investigate the reported incident and take appropriate disciplinary action if any aspirant or party member is found to have engaged private security personnel wearing military uniforms or other unauthorised state security attire.

It further urged the party to clearly communicate and enforce rules prohibiting the use of uniforms reserved for recognised state security agencies, military insignia, badges, ranks and other official security identifiers without lawful authorisation.

The proposed restrictions, according to the organisation, should also cover the establishment or deployment of unofficial security groups to accompany aspirants, protect them or intimidate political opponents, as well as any security arrangements likely to create fear or tension among party members, delegates, supporters and the general public.

Election Watch Ghana maintained that compliance with these standards must be a basic requirement for all aspirants and called for disciplinary measures against anyone found culpable, irrespective of their position or influence within the party.

Beyond the NDC, the organisation drew the attention of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Police Service and other relevant state institutions to the reported incident.

It urged the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, establish whether any laws or regulations had been violated and take appropriate action where breaches were confirmed.

“Authorities should act early to prevent such practices from becoming widespread or escalating into more serious security threats,” it added.

The organisation also called for consistent enforcement of regulations governing private security companies, particularly provisions relating to the use of official security uniforms and identifiers.

It emphasised that neither political parties nor individual aspirants should be exempt from the country's laws.

Election Watch Ghana urged political aspirants to build their campaigns around ideas, policies, competence and the confidence of party members rather than displays of force or the inappropriate use of security personnel.

It also appealed to candidates to conduct themselves responsibly, respect the law and avoid actions that could turn internal party contests into platforms for vigilantism and unlawful security operations.

“Political ambition must never come before national security, public order and the rule of law,” the organisation stressed, reaffirming that Ghana's peace and democratic stability must remain paramount.