Former Ashanti Regional Secretary of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yamin says he believes and knows for a fact that there is more to the vigilantism bill than it is being portrayed by the current Akufo-Addo led government.

During his submission on UTV’s 'Adekye Nsroma' newspaper discussion programme, he affirmed he can’t understand why there is a rush in passing the bill when the necessary proceedings needed have not lawfully been met.

According to him, it was the promise of the President to use his power to enforce a law when the political parties involved in the vigilante negotiations refused to come to a final conclusion of dissolving completely such groups, “therefore why should a law be passed when negotiations between the political parties and the Peace Council are still ongoing”.

“Just tell us the rush behind the vigilante laws that Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Majority Leader in Parliament couldn’t wait for the Attorney General, Madam Gloria Akuffo to come and lay it before Parliament . . . that was not the promise made by the President concerning vigilante issues,” he said.

Vigilante Bill Passed Into Law

The Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019, has been passed into law.

Its passage into law on Monday, July 22, 2019, was despite concerns raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a number of Civil Society Organisations.

The NGOs and NDC had indicated that more work needed to be carried before the passage of the Bill by Parliament.

It was the argument of the NDC that the Bill was “unnecessary and a deliberate diversion to allow the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to continue to build its militia infrastructure ahead of the 2020 elections.

Listen to Joseph Yamin during his submission below.

Source: peacefmonline.com