Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, has stated that the insurgence of vigilantism in the country may turn into uncontrollable mayhem if not stopped in its track.

According to him, vigilantism which has its roots since pre-independence is still a struggle.

Thus, the need for stakeholders to confront the reality and defy the phenomenon considering the recent conflicts in neighbouring countries.

“This impunity must be stopped right in its track. If we do not stop political vigilantism, it could escalate from ‘boot for boot’ to ‘bomb to bomb’. Conflict is so close to us. If we do not put our house to order because of internal conflicts vigilantism could escalate,” he said.

The Majority Leader also cautioned the youth against joining any political vigilante groups adding that it is a waste of time and a fruitless cause.

“Why should the youth endanger himself for someone else to win political power. There is a depth of patriotic and selfless people in Ghana who are willing to lay down their lives for this country. We have great numbers who will want to sacrifice their lives for some people because they promised them heaven. We can assure them that they will not get anywhere close.”

Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu was speaking at an event themed, “Curbing Political Vigilantism: The Media’s Take.”

The media was encouraged to support the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs as the Ministry support the promotion of good and accountable governance through the priority areas and strategic objectives for the benefits of Ghanaians.

Shame offenders

President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Affail Monney, stated that the media, as the fourth arm of government, must not compromise in naming and shaming persons involved in vigilantism.

“As media practitioners, with huge project to disband vigilantism, we should name and shame anyone or any group which poses an obstacle to do away with vigilantism and consign them to the dustbin of history.”

On the Vigilantism Bill, he added, “It is said that any law which has no element of education is a hallucination. So after the law is passed, as media practitioners, we have a duty imposed by urgent necessity in the supreme national interest to educate Ghanaians by the provisions of the law to get them to own this law, to get them to internalise this law and reflect them in their daily lives.”