Security analyst at the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Training Center says the country may be heading for doom if some members of pro-NPP vigilante groups contesting for positions in the party win.

Dr Emmanuel Kwesi Anning questioned what value the said people will bring to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) if they contest and win the positions they are gunning for.

He further queried if this development “means that the ethos of the party at least at the local level will begin to change?”

“This is because these are people who do not have the penchant and a tradition for debate, argument and listening to alternative opinions."

Speaking to Joy News on the sidelines of a forum on vigilantism in the country, Dr Aning said the government is unable to deal with the phenomenon because of the quest of these operatives to infiltrate the rank and file of its party.

At a recent graduation ceremony of Trinity College, President Akufo-Addo added 'the new phenomenon" of vigilantism to the list of such evils as corruption, crime and illegal mining.

Related: I will walk new path to fight "criminal" vigilante groups - Akufo-Addo

The phenomenon has taken centre stage since the NPP won the December 7 elections.

Groups like Delta Force, Invincible Forces which proved vigilant during the 2016 elections have become difficult for the government to control.

To this, the security analyst said what the nation is witnessing “truly is the capture of the state or certain aspect of the state.”

According to him, when the President, Interior Minister, as well as renowned opinion leaders, speak and they [members of the vigilante groups] do not listen, “it tells you how dangerous this development is.”

 Dr Aning said citizens must raise their voices and tell them “we will not accept this and this must stop.”

On his part a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (retired) blamed the major political parties for the illegalities perpetrated by such groups.

“We have a law in this country, these things are criminal and not equal to worship,” he said.

He is baffled why the police officers lack the confidence to arrest those who perpetrate such acts.