THE QUEST FOR POWER THROUGH BRUTE POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Vigilantism in Ghana has become a frequent occurrence in the country, with at least more than 10 vigilante-related riots observed at different locations in the country since 2002. Their activities normally heighten during political programs and election years. Vigilantism in the country has gradually grown in nature and type and has now become a dominant threat to the country’s national security.

Consequently, this article sets out to examine the changing dynamics of vigilantism in Ghana from 2000 to 2018. To do so, it examined the nature of vigilantism in Ghana from pre-independence period to now. In order to make this study meaningful, the study employed a qualitative descriptive approach to gather data from relevant people in the field. It also applied the theory of horizontal inequalities to assess the nature of vigilantism in Ghana.

Surprisingly, the study found out that, activities of vigilante groups during the pre-independence era were geared toward demonstrating against colonial government policies that did not benefit the masses. However, vigilantism in the Fourth Republic has become a business with profiteers who recruit, finance and assign these groups to perpetuate acts that violate fundamental human rights, breach of law and engage in violent activities at the detriment of the masses. Furthermore, the activities of vigilante groups in the country have very dire consequences on the democratic processes and the integrity of the political stability of the country.

In this light, the study among other things recommended that Government must ensure that it dissociates itself completely from existing vigilante groups in the country as this will dispel the notion that such groups are funded by government machinery and also send a signal to the groups that they are on their own and will therefore be responsible for any action that carry out.