Hackman Kabore(L), NDC Regional Organiser and Jeff Konadu(R), NPP Regional Secretary
The Eastern Regional Executives of both the ruling New Patriotic Party and the Opposition National Democratic Congress are looking forward to emulating the actions that will be taken by the national leadership on the disbandment of party militia debate that is currently ongoing in the country.
The NPP in the Eastern Region has a party vigilante group known as the Eagle forces whiles the NDC has the Eastern Mambas.
The NPP’s Eagle forces were rewarded for their hard work in helping the party recapture power during the party’s regional youth awards conference held at Koforidua in 2017. The nice citation given to the group was presented to them by the then National Youth Organiser, Sammi Awuku.
The NDC during the recent visit of former President John Mahama to the Eastern Region also outdoored a new militia group, the Eastern Mambas.
Speaking to the Evening Mail following the unveiling of the group, the regional organizer of the NDC, Mr. Hackman Kabore said the group was not formed to cause mayhem but is part of the ballot protection unit of the party.
The president during the state of the nation’s address called on the two main political parties in the country to meet and fashion out means to disband all vigilante groups in the two political parties. At the 62nd Anniversary celebration at Tamale, the president reiterated the call for the two parties to meet on the issue.
Speaking to the Daily Statesman on the plans taking at the regional level to disband the Eagle forces and the Eastern Mambas, the Regional Secretary of the NPP Mr. Jeff Konadu Addo said measures have already been taking to take away the security activities duties of the Eagle Forces.
He stated that members of the group are part of the party and cannot be sacked adding that aside providing internal party security, they also help the party in other activities such as keeping venues for party activities in shape, arranging rally grounds among others.
When asked whether they are taking steps to reach out to the NDC to sit on the table, Mr. Konadu said, they will wait for the outcome of the national level processes before taking a final decision at the regional level.
On his part, Mr. Hackman Kabore also speaking with the Daily Statesman said they will also wait and see what the outcome of the national processes will be before taking a final decision on the matter.
He also added that aside providing internal party security, the Eastern Mambas are also members of the party’s ballot protection committee, a committee under the elections and research department of the party, and for that matter cannot be sacked but their activities bothering on security will rather be checked.
Mr. Kabore called on the president to put measures in place to let the citizenry build trust in the police service. He said, even if they disband the Eastern Mambas and the police and other security agencies do not work to satisfaction, the people will rise to defend themselves hence the need to empower the police to be able to do diligent work that will make people build trust in them.
Both Mr. Konadu and Mr. Kabore assured the general public that, until the discussion of the matter is brought to a rest, they will all keep their groups in check to prevent them from causing any mayhem. They asked the public not to inhabit any form of fear since whether banned or not, the two groups will not engage in any act of violence that will put the security of the region in jeopardy.
Sources: The Evening Mail
