Security and political governance experts have called for reforms to make the Vigilantism Act more effective. The Act, which aims to disband political party vigilante groups and proscribe acts of vigilantism, has been criticized for its failure to address the root causes of the problem.
Experts Demand Reform to Make Vigilantism Act Bite
Security and political governance experts call for reforms to make the Vigilantism Act more effective. They argue that the Act's failure to address the root causes of vigilantism has led to its continued existence.
The Vigilantism Act was passed in 2020 to address the growing problem of vigilantism in Ghana. However, since its passage, the number of reported cases of vigilantism has continued to rise. Experts attribute this to the failure of the state to properly discharge its duty to ensure that criminals are apprehended and convicted.
Perceived Failure of the State
The current surge in vigilantism is due not only to ignorance but also to the perceived failure of the state to properly discharge its duty. This failure has led to a breakdown in trust between the state and the citizens, resulting in the rise of vigilantism.
In a statement, the experts called for reforms to make the Vigilantism Act more effective. They argued that the Act's failure to address the root causes of vigilantism has led to its continued existence. "The current surge in vigilantism would appear to be due not only to ignorance but also to the perceived failure of the state to properly discharge its duty," they said.
Governance Failures
Political scientists agree that vigilantism often indicates aspects of government failure. In Nigeria and Mexico, vigilantism has appeared as a result of government failure. The experts argue that Ghana is not immune to this phenomenon and that reforms are necessary to address the root causes of vigilantism.
The experts also point out that curbing collective vigilantism hinges on ensuring that state governments can provide for the basic needs of their populations. They argue that the failure of the state to provide for the basic needs of its citizens has led to the rise of vigilantism.
A Step Forward
The experts welcome the passage of Bill C-14 in Canada, which targets extortion, auto theft, and organized crime. They argue that this is a step forward in addressing the root causes of vigilantism. However, they caution that this is not the last step and that more reforms are necessary to make the Vigilantism Act more effective.
The experts have called for stronger measures and the elimination of loopholes that allow dangerous criminals to repeatedly cycle through the justice system. They argue that this is necessary to ensure that citizens feel safe in their communities and have confidence that repeat and violent offenders are kept behind bars.
What Happens Next
The experts' call for reforms is timely, given the continued rise of vigilantism in Ghana. The government has yet to respond to the experts' call for reforms. However, the experts remain hopeful that the government will take the necessary steps to address the root causes of vigilantism.
The experts' call for reforms is a reminder that vigilantism is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. It is not just a matter of passing a law, but also of addressing the underlying causes of vigilantism. The experts' call for reforms is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that the government will take it seriously.
Source: 3News
