NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL
TOPIC
CODE OF CONDUCT TO GUIDE POLITICAL
PARTIES IN THE ERADICATION OF POLITICAL
VIGILANTISM
INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE
The Code of Conduct, was designed by the National Peace Council (NPC), as one of
the key deliverables of the dialogue between the National Democratic Congress
(NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and other stakeholders, aimed at
eradicating political vigilantism in Ghana.
Primarily, the Code is expected to Guide Behaviour of Political Parties and Political
Activists in the conduct of their political activities so that they’ll be guided to avoid
politically related vigilantism
The Code will also serve as a reference point in ensuring that the Roadmap to
eradicate vigilantism is adhered to by all parties.
CONT’D
This Code, is an outcome of a consensus reached between the NPP & NDC
that vigilantism is inimical to Ghana’s democratic system and must be
eradicated
The Code consist of ten (10) key Provisions to Guide Behaviour and a Six (6)
key Enforcement mechanisms
The Code is expected to be read as part of the Roadmap for the total
eradication of vigilantism, titled, the Roadmap to Eradicating Political
Vigilantism in Ghana
PROVISIONS IN THE CODE
1. Parties will publicly denounce any acts of vigilantism, especially
where the perpetrators are affiliated or associated with or
connected or related to their party.
2. Following the passage of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act,
2019 (Act 999), the parties will engage the leadership of known
vigilante groups operating within their parties or for political
purposes, and encourage them to disband such groups;
PROVISIONS ……
3. No party, party member, or candidate for an election will form,
operate, support or fund any vigilante group or their activities
4. Parties will discourage the ownership, hiring, or utilization of such
groups, or their services by their political parties or members
thereof;
PROVISIONS ……….
5. The parties will provide timely, accurate and objective information
regarding acts of vigilantism to the police, especially when such
information is requested by the police;
6. Parties will not take any initiative in contravention of the law, for the
release of any person who is caught armed, or any person who
offends the law on elections, electoral campaigns, or commits a
governance related offence and is arrested by the police;
PROVISIONS ……………..
7. In furtherance of the provisions of the Vigilantism and Related Offences
Act, 2019 (Act 999), parties will include in their respective codes of
conduct, a firm statement prohibiting the formation of vigilante groups,
and clearly indicate the sanctions that will be applied to any member
who forms, funds, supports or utilizes the services of vigilante groups
8. Parties will act in good faith, as well as maintain honesty and integrity in
their dealings with stakeholders and security agencies, towards the total
eradication of vigilantism
PROVISION ……….
9. The Code of Conduct will be reviewed periodically, at least, once every
four years of its implementation, or upon identification by the parties of
any major defects during implementation
10. Parties will educate their members on the requirements of the
“Roadmap to Eradicating Political Vigilantism in Ghana,” as well as this
Code of Conduct
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE
The parties agree to commit resources, personnel, and time to
the enforcement of the Code of Conduct. The parties agree to
work within the structures proposed below, and through other
lawful means to ensure enforcement of this Code of Conduct
1. At the national level, the NPC, in collaboration with civil society
stakeholders, will receive and address complaints of breaches of the
Code and may meet the leadership of the NDC and NPP as and when
necessary in furtherance of this mandate.
2. At the regional and district levels, the Inter-Party Dialogue Committees
will work with the NPC to receive and address complaints of breaches
of the Code;
3. The parties shall be responsible for the enforcement of the Code of
Conduct
4. Violations of the Code of Conduct shall first be reported to the
proposed committees for redress
5. The proposed Committees shall also monitor compliance with the
Code of Conduct by the parties
6. Notwithstanding the above suggestions (1 to 5), all criminal offences
must be reported to the Ghana Police Service
WAY FORWARD
What is it that you and your community can do
