Accra: Former National Security Minister, Francis Poku, has described the enactment of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’, arguing that some of its provisions make the law difficult to enforce. Speaking at the National Policy Dialogue on Vigilantism organised by Election Watch Ghana, Poku questioned whether the legislation was necessary in the first place.
According to Ghana Web, the Act was passed amid growing public concern over political vigilantism, particularly following the violence that occurred during the January 31, 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election. However, Poku argued that the state already had enough information and legal mechanisms to deal with the conduct that the Act sought to criminalise.
Poku expressed that the introduction of a new law in response to public pressure was unnecessary and that authorities could have strengthened existing laws to prosecute those involved in acts of political vigilantism. He raised concerns about the practical enforcement of Act 999, noting its evidentiary requirements and mandatory prison terms.
He argued that the severity of some of the prescribed sentences could discourage police officers from pursuing cases under the law. Poku questioned the willingness to enforce provisions that include mandatory sentences of 10 to 25 years for certain offenses, suggesting that such harsh penalties deter enforcement.
Furthermore, Poku criticized the law for failing to adequately address the persistent problem of land guards, which he linked to weaknesses in Ghana’s land dispute resolution system. He emphasized that addressing vigilantism and related criminal activities requires more than legislation, advocating for stronger institutions and effective mechanisms for resolving disputes.
His comments come amid renewed discussions about the effectiveness of Ghana’s legal and institutional response to political vigilantism and other forms of organised violence. The National Policy Dialogue was held to examine the challenges surrounding vigilantism and explore practical measures to strengthen Ghana’s democratic and security institutions.