Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has cautioned political parties to stop their party members from acts of vigilantism.

"All political parties must stop vigilante acts for it is a bad practice and not helping the growth of this country. We must not in any way encourage such practice...."

Kwesi Pratt, speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’s’ panel discussion, Friday, said for Aseidu Nketia (NDC General Secretary) to say his party will encourage Vigilante groups so far as the NPP does not disband their own 'is a big shame to the nation'.

According to him, he has been in politics for a long time hence he should know better than to encourage acts of vigilantism.

“… what a statement from a top political leader like him, I perfectly agree with the statements made by Director of the Transformation Programmes Office of the Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzor with respect to provisions in the 1992 Constitution, which give President’s the right to appoint the heads of the various security agencies, among other duties, threatening the will of security personnel to be professional in all situations”

“Indeed the constitution to this effect must be relooked at in this effect, we need a neutral
security agency in Ghana” he added.

Dr Adordzor speaking at a symposium organized by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in Accra said vigilante groups operated confidently because they were backed by political parties, adding; “If care is not taken, we will have rule of political parties
instead of rule of law.

“If you thought that vigilante activities constitute a problem now, then wait until it truly
explodes. I call it Ghana’s unexploded political ordinance”

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) continued his speech with much strength
citing the following;

“I get worried when I hear people lambast the police for failing to arrest these persons. The
police have every power to clamp down on them, but how do you expect us to act when our
hands are tied under the very laws that govern our operations?,” Dr Agordzor asked, and
called for immediate reforms of the Constitution.

“In Ghana, the IGP is appointed by the President and therefore becomes a party member,
hence his loyalty is divided and cannot be trusted because he is clearly monitored by the
President to work to his advantage”, Dr Agordzor said.

He further added “I recommend that the Police Council be replaced with the Police
Commission, with the IGP as its chairman”.