Ghanaians are gravely concerned that political vigilantism and its effects on local and national elections. This follows the acts of lawlessness and impunity that vigilante groups affiliated with Ghana’s two main political parties – National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) – have engaged in the period following the 2016 elections, transition and post-transition period. The latest in the series of acts of violence was at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-elections where shooting incidents were reported and close to a dozen persons sustained injuries, an occurrence that has antecedents in previous by-elections and re-runs – Talensi, Chereponi, Akwatia, and Atiwa.

It is therefore, important to maintain Ghana’s democratic reputation of stability within the West African Sub-region by ensuring that its good governance, rule of law, national security and renowned peace architecture are not threatened by the increasing and persistent impunity of political vigilantism.