The Minister for the Interior, Honourable Mubarak Mohammed Mutaka, has directed the Ghana Police Service to intensify enforcement against vigilantism and dismantle emerging groups formed by individuals, political parties, traditional authorities and other organisations for self-protection. The directive is aimed at reaffirming the state’s responsibility for maintaining public security and preventing private groups from assuming roles reserved for authorised security agencies.
The Security Analyst, Emmanuel Kotin, has welcomed the directive, arguing that it signals a stronger attempt by the government to restore state authority over security and law enforcement. Mr Kotin noted that political vigilantism has become normalised within Ghana’s Fourth Republic despite the existence of the Vigilante Act 2019.
According to him, the Interior Minister’s position carries significance because the law has remained largely underutilised since its enactment. He linked the renewed push to recent incidents, including developments surrounding the Ablekuma bye election and the reported formation of a group in Bolgatanga.
The Security Analyst explained that the directive serves three main purposes, namely authority, cohesion and deterrence. From his perspective, the first establishes that security powers belong to the state while the second brings relevant stakeholders together to confront emerging threats.
He further argued that deterrence was essential because weak enforcement could encourage communities and political groups to establish their own security structures. Referencing the recent situation in Bolgatanga, the analyst questioned why authorities appeared unable to act when such activities occurred publicly.
“Only the state, through its authorised agencies, may provide protection. As an Analyst, I think this is an excellent idea.”
Emmanuel Kotin
Analysing the wider security implications, Mr Kotin linked the fight against vigilantism to Ghana’s exposure to violent extremism along the Sahel. He explained that dismantling private security groups should also help prevent the creation of ungoverned spaces that could provide opportunities for extremist activities.
The Security Analyst therefore urged the government to connect its domestic security strategy with measures designed to strengthen protection along vulnerable areas. In his view, citizens who have confidence in state protection are less likely to consider forming private groups for their safety.
Moreover, the enforcement of existing legislation emerged as a central requirement for the policy to succeed. Mr Kotin argued that Ghana already has legal provisions capable of dealing with vigilantism, making effective implementation essential to achieving the intended security outcome.
Stronger Enforcement Needed To Curb Vigilante Groups
The effectiveness of the renewed security approach will depend heavily on consistent enforcement across the country. Mr Kotin urged the authorities to apply the law fairly and ensure that enforcement does not depend on the political identity or status of those involved.
“My only caution is that the Minister’s policy will now be tested: not by how many offenders the police paraded before the court, but whether the state can provide protection so credible that community in this country never again will feel it must raise its own men to protect itself.”
Emmanuel Kotin
Addressing the responsibilities of the security agencies, the analyst explained that arrests and prosecutions alone would not provide a lasting solution. Communities must also experience a security system capable of responding to threats before residents feel compelled to organise their own protection.
The issue of police professionalism also featured prominently in his assessment of the Interior Minister’s broader directives. He welcomed the attention given to police training videos appearing on social media and argued that sensitive training activities require stronger control.
According to the Security Analyst, the publication of training footage could expose operational methods and create reputational difficulties for the country. He urged the police to establish tighter procedures governing what recruits and personnel can record and publish online.
The rapid growth of social media, he noted, has created new challenges for security institutions. While digital platforms provide useful communication opportunities, sensitive operational information requires careful handling to protect personnel and preserve institutional standards.
Furthermore, Mr Kotin connected the social media issue to the standard of professionalism within the security architecture. He argued that recruitment and training processes should place stronger emphasis on discipline, judgement and an understanding of the responsibilities attached to security work.
The analyst also drew attention to generational differences within the security services. Personnel with longer experience, he observed, could provide useful insight into disciplinary practices that previously guided training and professional conduct.
From his perspective, weaknesses in training can eventually affect the conduct of personnel once they enter active service. For that reason, strengthening discipline during recruitment and training should form part of the wider effort to improve public confidence in security institutions.
Another important dimension is the protection of sensitive information within security establishments. The analyst urged authorities to examine how recruits gain access to recording devices during training and what internal safeguards exist to prevent inappropriate publication.
The matter also places responsibility on individual officers to understand the consequences of their actions. Professional standards, he argued, must extend beyond formal training and influence everyday decisions made by personnel both within and outside official duties.
Meanwhile, the wider campaign against vigilantism requires cooperation among political parties, traditional authorities, communities and state institutions. Such collaboration, according to the analyst, can help ensure that private security structures do not emerge as substitutes for lawful state protection.
The Security Analyst therefore encouraged the Interior Ministry and the police leadership to combine enforcement with public education and stronger community engagement. This approach, he suggested, would address both the immediate presence of vigilante groups and the conditions that encourage their formation.
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