The first hurdle in the talks between Ghana’s two main political parties, over the disbandment of political vigilante groups, has been cleared, as the two sides have agreed to commit to the deliberations against the menace.
This agreement overcomes an earlier standoff between the two largest political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), over the framework for the talks.
At the first session of the talks on Tuesday, facilitated by the National Peace Council (NPC), the two sides agreed to engage in deliberations aimed at disbanding all militia groups affiliated to them.
A communiqué issued by the NPC after the meeting, and jointly signed by Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, NDC Chairman, and Freddie Blay, NPP Chairman, indicated that both parties have agreed to engage in deliberations.
The call for the talks between the two main parties for the disbandment of the vigilante groups, affiliated to the parties, was recently proposed by President Akufo-Addo, following public uproar against the violent activities of such groups.
Although the formation of armed vigilante groups, described as a threat to national security, remained illegal, security analysts maintain the groups cannot be disbanded without the active will of the beneficiary political parties.
By Edmund Mingle/ www.adrdaily.com
A copy of the statement:
