UER: “We Are Not a Vigilante Group; We Are a Youth Wing Mobilising Support for the NPP Ahead of 2028” – The Lions of NPP
The leadership of The Lions of NPP, a newly inaugurated youth mobilisation group of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region, has strongly rejected allegations that the organisation is a vigilante group, insisting that its activities are lawful and solely aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The clarification comes in the wake of growing public debate following the inauguration of the 42-member group and a call by the Upper East Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate its leadership.
The Lions of NPP, whose membership is drawn from constituencies across the Upper East Region, was officially launched under the motto “Be Bold to Do the Right Thing.” According to the group’s leadership, its mission is to mobilise grassroots support, protect the interests of the party through lawful means, assist in maintaining order during party programmes, and contribute to the NPP’s organisational activities at both the constituency and regional levels.
Addressing members during the inauguration, the leader of the group, Mr. Adure Anthony, said the formation of The Lions of NPP was inspired by a desire to contribute to the growth and electoral success of the New Patriotic Party rather than to serve any personal interests.
“The objective of this group is to support the party and help strengthen its structures. We believe every political party needs committed young people who are prepared to work for victory through lawful means,” he stated.
Speaking on BlueWaves Breakfast Show on Thursday. Anthony again dismissed suggestions that the group was established to operate as a vigilante organisation.
“We are not a vigilante group as has been speculated by some people. We are simply a youth wing of the New Patriotic Party whose aim is to mobilise supporters and gather votes for our flagbearer ahead of the 2028 general elections.”
He argued that the existence of organised youth groups within political parties is not new in Ghana’s political landscape, noting that other political parties also have similar mobilisation structures.
“The NDC has groups such as the Green Army. These are youth groups that support their political parties. We therefore do not see anything wrong with forming a youth wing to mobilise support for the NPP,” he explained.
Mr. Anthony further stressed that the NPP remains committed to upholding Ghana’s laws against political vigilantism. He pointed out that it was under an NPP administration that Parliament passed the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), which criminalises the formation, financing and operation of political vigilante groups.
According to him, the existence of that law demonstrates the party’s commitment to eliminating political vigilantism from Ghana’s democratic process.
“It was the NPP government that passed Act 999 to ban vigilante groups. We are fully aware of the law and would never establish a group that seeks to violate it,” he said.
The comments come after the Upper East Regional Youth Wing of the opposition NDC issued a statement expressing concern over the launch of The Lions of NPP and urging the Inspector-General of Police to invite the group’s leadership for questioning.
The NDC argued that the group’s stated security functions raise concerns about possible violations of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019, and called on the Ghana Police Service to investigate the group’s activities in the interest of public safety and the preservation of Ghana’s democratic gains.
However, the leadership of The Lions of NPP maintains that the group is a legitimate political youth organisation whose activities are confined to lawful political mobilisation, voter engagement, party education and organisational support.
The debate surrounding the formation of The Lions of NPP has generated widespread public discussion in the Upper East Region, with political observers calling on all parties to ensure that political activities remain peaceful and fully compliant with Ghana’s laws as preparations gradually begin towards the 2028 general elections.
Political analysts have also emphasised the importance of political tolerance and adherence to the rule of law, noting that while political parties have the constitutional right to organise and mobilise supporters, all groups must operate within the framework of the law to safeguard the country’s democratic stability.
Source: MyBlueWavesonline.com| Maurice Duncan| Bolgatanga
