Ghana’s National Security Coordinator, COP Osman Abdul Razak, has called for stronger preventive action and closer collaboration among security agencies, private security firms, and local communities to combat political vigilantism and safeguard the nation’s democracy.
Speaking at a National Policy Dialogue organised by Election Watch Ghana on August 25, 2026, COP Abdul Razak addressed the evolving landscape of political mobilisation in Ghana. He warned that while the visibility of vigilante groups may have diminished, the underlying threat remains, with some networks now operating through less visible and more informal channels.
“We must not mistake the reduced visibility of these groups, regardless of their name, as meaning the threat has disappeared. Mobilisation has shifted to local businesses, private security arrangements, and other informal channels,” he cautioned.
COP Abdul Razak stressed the importance of intelligence-led, early-warning systems, arguing that prevention, not just reaction, must be central to Ghana’s fight against political violence. “Prevention must remain at the centre of our approach to political violence. It is far easier to act when inequalities are emerging than to dismantle entrenched foundations of our political system,” he said.
He urged full utilisation of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), to detect and address threats early. He also underscored the crucial role of private security firms and communities as partners in maintaining security, provided they operate within the law and complement state authority.
“Private security companies and communities must become part of the security architecture. But they must operate within the law and in a manner that complements, rather than substitutes for, the legitimate authority of the state,” COP Abdul Razak emphasised.
He further highlighted the need to de-politicise enforcement and link it to broader legal and systemic reforms. The National Policy Dialogue, attended by security officials, politicians, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, focused on reviewing the implementation of Act 999 and strengthening Ghana’s ability to prevent political violence and protect its democratic foundations.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com