The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Asiedu Nketia, has raised concerns over the President’s feet dragging in ensuring that the roadmap towards disbanding vigilantism is adhered to.
“I am surprised and dismayed at President Nana Akufo-Addo’s adamant stance against tackling political vigilantism with the exclusion of the clergy, civil society organisations (CSOs), the Peace Council, traditional authorities and security experts which mar peaceful elections in the country.
“We were expecting the President to thank us for the proposition we have brought on board, but he being the president who claims to be committed in ensuring the disbandment of vigilante groups, is being difficult and dragging his feet in bringing finality to the problem.
“You
don’t know the reason why he will write a letter back to us insisting the two
parties sit down on the matter and not include other stakeholders, the decision
by the president to kick against the NDC’s call for the inclusion of
stakeholders like the clergy, paramount chiefs, Peace Council, security experts
and civil society organisations among others is worrying.
“The suggestion we made is to include all those
people. What is the problem with the president involving others from Peace Council
and security experts from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training
Centre in the course of disbanding vigilantism?
“Why does
the president finds it a challenge in the suggestion made by us? Or the
inclusion of the clergy, chiefs, civil society organisations and other
stakeholders, what problem will there be for the president?
“The posture of the president regarding the
inclusion of the stakeholders in the discussion on vigilantism is indicative
that anybody who does not want those people who can help promote peace in
elections to be part of the roadmap to disbanding vigilantism is rather the
stumbling block and he is acting as the stumbling block to disbanding
vigilantism and stalling peace,” Mr Asiedu Nketia accused. -peacefmonline.com
