Political parties have no business creating parallel security groups – NDC’s Apolala
NDC Communicator Urges Parties to Rely on State Security Agencies to Curb Political Vigilantism
A member of the Navrongo Central National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Godfred Apolala, has cautioned political parties against creating or tolerating parallel security groups, warning that such arrangements could provide a breeding ground for political vigilantism.
He said political parties should rely on Ghana’s recognised security agencies instead of establishing informal security structures under labels such as volunteers, community security teams or other initiatives.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, August 26, Apolala said political parties must not allow individuals to use voluntary service as a cover for activities that could threaten public security.
“If we believe in our security agencies, let them work. If you need them, just apply. We need their services because they are there for us,” he said.
According to him, political parties have no justification for maintaining alternative security structures when the country already has institutions mandated to protect citizens and maintain public order.
He warned that individuals who believe they have political backing could become emboldened to interfere with electoral processes or cause disturbances.
Apolala further argued that vigilantism should not be limited to physical activities, saying political actors could also use social media to create fear, issue threats and intimidate opponents.
He therefore called on the National Security apparatus to intensify intelligence gathering to identify individuals or groups attempting to circumvent the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019.
“The National Security must intensify their work. They should be able to gather more intelligence and bring those people to book,” he said.
Apolala maintained that anyone found to have violated the law should face the appropriate sanctions, regardless of their political affiliation.
“If you want to hide under that and then cause problems, when you are caught, you should be dealt with according to the law,” he said.
He, however, clarified that the NDC’s Green Army should not be equated with a vigilante group, explaining that it serves as the party’s youth wing and mobilisation network.
“The Green Army is only a name for the youth wing, and the youth organisers are the youth commanders of the party,” he said.
Apolala urged political parties to educate their supporters on the dangers of vigilantism and ensure that electoral activities are conducted peacefully, without intimidation or reliance on informal security structures.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
