[ 2017-10-26 ]

Akufo-Addo gov’t not condoning vigilantism – Ambrose Dery
The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, has
discredited claims that the Akufo-Addo government
only talks big on political vigilantism but does
very little to quell it.

According to him, the governing New Patriotic
Party (NPP) does not condone such actions.

Citi News has reported on 18 separate violent
attacks perpetrated by pro-NPP groups since the
beginning of the NPP administration, the latest
being the forceful locking up of some offices at
the Karaga District Assembly by some NPP youth.


Many have accused the police of reneging on
their responsibility in dealing with the surge
in such cases.

But speaking to Citi News, Mr. Derry said the
police in collaboration with the government, are
committed to dealing with these lawless acts
head-on.
“…What I can say with pride is that, we are
not condoning any actions,” he added.

Ambrose Dery also defended the paltry GHc1,800
fine slapped on each of the 13 members of pro-NPP
group, Delta Force, who were hauled before a
Kumasi court, after they were captured on a video
manhandling the Ashanti Regional Security
Coordinator, George Adjei.

We prosecuted Delta Force 13 although they’re
NPP – Dery
Mr. Dery believes government has exhibited ample
commitment towards the fight against political
party vigilantism in the country, considering that
they did not shield the 13 members of the pro-NPP
vigilante group, Invincible Forces, but rather
allowed them to go through the court process.

He noted that “…Vigilantism is real, and the
Akufo-Addo government hasn’t run away from
it.”

“…Vigilantism is real, and the Akufo-Addo
government hasn’t run away from it.

This is the government that has taken people that
are known as its supporters and sent to court,
they went through due process, they were convicted
and they were sentenced.

“I’ve heard people say that the sentences are
not harsh enough, but let’s put it in context.
The law in the kind of offences they were charged
with encourages reconciliation and settlements
outside.
If you put it in that context, we didn’t even
allow a settlement of the matter which would have
still been within the law.
We sent it there, and it’s not our remit.
It’s the remit of the judiciary, and the
judiciary has taken a decision – they have been
convicted, they have been sentenced… so we need
to go beyond mere criticism to find out what are
the legal limitations in sentencing. What are the
considerations in sentencing; but what I can say
with pride is that, we are not condoning any
actions,” he explained.
He also called on the public to expose politicians
believed to be behind these acts, and further
warned the youth to be law abiding.

Source - citifmonline.com

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