Ghana’s National Security Coordinator, COP Osman Abdul Razak, has called for stronger preventive measures and closer cooperation among security agencies, private security companies and local communities to tackle political vigilantism and protect Ghana’s democratic stability.
Speaking at a National Policy Dialogue on the implementation of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), organised by Election Watch Ghana on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, COP Abdul Razak warned that the changing nature of political mobilisation requires increased vigilance and improved intelligence gathering.
He said Ghana must shift from reacting to political violence after it occurs to adopting stronger early-warning systems, intelligence-led operations and preventive security measures.
According to the National Security Coordinator, the reduced visibility of political vigilante groups should not be interpreted as the disappearance of the threat. He explained that some groups may now operate through informal networks, local businesses, private security arrangements and digital platforms, making them more difficult to identify.
COP Abdul Razak stressed that political mobilisation in Ghana is increasingly moving beyond traditional party structures, with informal and online networks providing new channels for organisation.
He therefore urged security agencies to identify potential security threats early and intervene before political tensions develop into violence.
“Prevention must remain at the centre of our approach to political violence,” he said, emphasising the importance of addressing emerging social and economic inequalities before they become deeply entrenched.
The National Security Coordinator also called for the full implementation of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999) to strengthen Ghana’s security architecture. He said effective use of early-warning mechanisms, intelligence gathering and targeted preventive operations could help reduce political violence.
COP Abdul Razak further identified private security companies and communities as important partners in Ghana’s national security system. However, he stressed that their operations must comply with the law and support, rather than replace, the legitimate authority of the state.
He also highlighted the importance of de-politicising security enforcement, describing it as essential to effective political violence prevention, legal enforcement and broader institutional reforms.
The policy dialogue brought together security officials, political party representatives, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to examine the implementation of Act 999 and discuss practical strategies for preventing political vigilantism and protecting Ghana’s democracy.
Source: newsthemegh.com