{"id":626225,"date":"2019-05-27T19:42:18","date_gmt":"2019-05-27T19:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"
\n
\"NPP<\/p>\n
\n
\"NPP
\nNDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia. <\/span>
\n<\/figure>\n

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) described the anti-vigilantism Bill as misdirection by the government as it voiced concerns to\u00a0Parliament\u2019s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n

In a May 17 letter sighted by Citi News<\/strong>, the NDC questioned the government\u2019s commitment to overcoming political violence.<\/p>\n

The opposition party holds the view that the proposed legislation will not adequately tackle political violence.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe Bill does not begin to be an adequate response to the crisis of political violence in Ghana. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Bill rather serves to distract the attention of civil society and the diplomatic community allowing the NPP to continue the build-up of its militia infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In the NDC\u2019s view, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) seeks to continue its \u201cinfiltration of its thugs deeper and deeper into the national security apparatus\u201d ahead of the 2020 elections.<\/p>\n

President Nana Akufo-Addo, during the 2019 State of the Nation Address, called on the leadership of the NDC and NPP to meet and find a lasting solution to political violence.<\/p>\n

This was after the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence which necessitated the formation of a Commission of Enquiry, chaired by Justice Emile Short.<\/p>\n

The NDC, in the letter, contended that the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election was used as a staging ground \u201cto test its state-managed militias in a rehearsal for 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n

It also expressed little faith in the avenues proposed for the elimination of political vigilante groups.<\/p>\n

Though the NDC has partaken in the dialogue proposed by the President, it expressed dissatisfaction the National Peace Council for \u201copting for a research-led, multi-stakeholder process over direct mediation between the NPP and NDC.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition, it said the government \u201cis now\u00a0trapped in legislative theatre compelled to use its Parliamentary majority to push through unnecessary and badly flawed legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n