Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, Political Analyst and Executive Director of the African Institute of Strategic Studies, has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to establish a new security group ahead of its internal elections, describing the move as a threat to Ghana’s security architecture and a violation of the spirit of the Public Order Act.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme in Accra, Dr. Asante Otchere said the formation of a political party security group amounts to vigilantism and undermines the constitutional authority of the Ghana Police Service, which is solely mandated to provide security during elections and maintain public order.
He explained that the police are the only security institution authorised to manage election security and, where necessary, invite the Ghana Armed Forces to support their operations.
According to him, the decision by the NPP to create its own security outfit suggests a lack of confidence in the state’s security institutions and risks encouraging political vigilantism.
Dr. Asante Otchere argued that the Public Order Act empowers state security agencies to act proactively to prevent threats to public peace rather than waiting for crimes to be committed.
He therefore called on the National Security Secretariat to immediately invite the leader of the newly formed group to explain the reasons behind its establishment.
“They should invite the leader to state why this vigilante group has been formed. Security agencies should not wait until the group commits an offence before acting. Preventing crime is better than reacting after public order has been breached,” he stated.
He rejected suggestions that the security group could be justified on the grounds that it would only operate during the NPP’s internal elections, stressing that even internal party elections fall under the Public Order Act and are protected by the Ghana Police Service.
Dr. Asante Otchere further stated that the disturbances witnessed during the 2024 general elections did not result from a lack of party security groups but were largely caused by delays in the collation and declaration of election results by the Electoral Commission.
He recalled that several constituencies experienced tension during the collation process, arguing that the Electoral Commission’s handling of the elections created unnecessary opportunities for conflict.
According to him, introducing additional political security structures would only increase the risk of violence rather than strengthen Ghana’s democratic process.
Touching on foreign affairs, Dr. Asante Otchere also defended President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to postpone the planned visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He said the decision was justified in light of the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa, insisting that President Ramaphosa should first address the growing insecurity and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice.
“For me, President Ramaphosa cannot come to Ghana at this time. South Africa must first resolve the xenophobia issue and prosecute those responsible,” he said.
He described Ghana’s decision as a diplomatic protest that sends a strong message to South Africa without damaging the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
Dr. Asante Otchere added that allowing the visit to proceed under the current circumstances could have heightened public anger and sparked demonstrations against the South African leader during his stay in Ghana.
He maintained that postponing the visit was a mature and responsible decision that protects Ghana’s national interest while reaffirming the country’s commitment to Pan-African solidarity and the safety of all Africans.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah