Disband Vigilante Groups - Methodist Bishop To Gov’t

The Kumasi Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Right Rev. Christopher Nyarko Andam, has appealed to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to lead by example and disband the emerging vigilante groups in the ruling party to serve as a deterrent.

He has also emphasised that the emergence of vigilantism will not help the country, because, under the rule of law in Ghana, there are security agencies mandated by the constitution to provide security for Ghanaians.

The Bishop appealed to the government to, as a matter of urgency, stamp its authority to eradicate this cancer, which has become an albatross around our necks.

Rt. Rev. Nyarko Andam indicated that Ghana needs peace, stressing that this was the only platform on which we can develop as a nation.

According to him, around the African Continent, where there is no peace, there is disorder, and that such nations are bereft of development, and Ghana must not get to that.

Bishop Andam noted: “Political parties should allow the rule of law to work, unless they say they have lost confidence in the police.”

He said the eerie aspect of vigilante groups is that after nursing them to become formidable forces, they become undisciplined if they cannot make a decent living, thus causing commotion.

The Kumasi Diocese Dishop noted that per Ghana's recent history, our system of governance hinges on political parties, and if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is in power, the next in line is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and vice versa.

He raised these concerns at the 5^th Biennial and 25^th Annual General Meeting held at Tafo Methodist in Kumasi over the weekend, under the theme “Sustaining our gains through effective stewardship – A challenge to the laity”.

The Prelate noted that if the members of a party claim they are protecting themselves, they should realise that over-protection can cost someone, asking if these parties do not believe in the police service.

The worried Methodist Bishop said: “I do not understand why we have well trained police, but people turn to individuals for protection.”

Bishop Nyarko Andam has, therefore, urged the political parties to disband their vigilante groups and allow the constitutionally-recognised security to protect us, instead of vigilante groups, to ensure peace in Ghana.

On the double track system of education, the Wesleyan Minister showered praises on the government and pleaded with Ghanaians to support the system, describing the effort as a great job done.

According to him, what is worrying developing countries is illiteracy, where majority of the masses are illiterate, thus hindering development.

He said: “Quite a number of our young ones are going to receive education to the secondary level, which will brighten chances of entering a tertiary institution.”

He opined that a certain level of education is important for everyone. “If someone goes to buy a product and he cannot read the manual, he or she would not be able to use the item effectively and efficiently.”

He admitted that the Free Senior High School has challenges, “but we should solve it swiftly for Ghana to develop.”

The Diocesan Lay Chairman of the Kumasi Diocese, Prof. Seth Opuni Asiama, also expressed worry about vigilantism, which, he noted, is alien to the Ghanaian political system.

According to him, after the 2016 General Elections, the NPP vigilante groups, namely Delta Forces and Invisible Forces, were on the offensive, creating problems.

Lay Chairman Opuni noted, “NDC too is looking forward to coming to power, hence, they have also formed vigilante groups,” and charged Ghanaians to speak against the culture of vigilantism.