A civic group has petitioned Ghana’s National Security Coordinator to investigate the formation of a 42-member political security outfit operating in the Upper East Region.
Election Watch Ghana says the group, calling itself “The Lions of NPP”, directly violates the country’s anti-vigilantism laws.
In a petition dated 8 July, the watchdogs warned that the group’s public alignment with the governing New Patriotic Party threatens regional stability.
The Upper East Region, which shares borders with Burkina Faso and Togo, is already considered highly sensitive due to the threat of cross-border terrorism.
The petition highlights video and audio evidence of the group’s recent inauguration, which has circulated on local media platforms.
The group’s leader, Adure Anthony, reportedly declared their mandate is to provide security for party activities and upcoming election campaigns.
Under Ghana’s Vigilantism and Related Offences Act of 2019, political parties are strictly prohibited from organizing, training, or maintaining private security forces.
Election Watch Ghana argues that allowing an unauthorized, partisan force to operate outside lawful structures raises immediate fears of voter intimidation and political violence ahead of the December polls.
The petitioners are calling on national security officials to immediately investigate the funding and leadership of the group, disband it, and prosecute those involved.
They emphasized that public safety and electoral security must remain the exclusive domain of the Ghana Police Service and the armed forces.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
