Investigate “The Lions” a vigilante group within Upper East NPP – Upper East NDC Youth Wing to Security Agencies

The Upper East Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is calling on the security agencies in the country to investigate the formation of a group known as “The Lions” within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region.

In a statement signed by the Upper East Deputy Regional Youth Organizer, Sampson Samari stated that the vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), unequivocally prohibits the establishment, operation, financing, promotion, or participation in political vigilante groups and related activities.

“Against this background, we call on the Ghana Police Service and all State Security Agencies to immediately commence a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the reported formation of this group. If the investigation establishes that the group’s objectives, structure, or activities fall within the prohibitions of Act 999 or any other law of Ghana, the appropriate authorities must take swift and decisive lawful action against all individuals found culpable, regardless of their political affiliation or status.

“The laws of Ghana must be enforced fairly, consistently, and without exception. No individual, political party, or group should enjoy immunity where the rule of law is concerned. Any perception of selective enforcement will only undermine public confidence in our democratic institutions and embolden those who seek to circumvent the law.”

Below is the full statement 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 8 July 2026

NDC UPPER EAST REGIONAL YOUTH WING CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE REPORTED FORMATION OF A VIGILANTE GROUP KNOWN AS “THE LIONS” BY THE NPP IN THE UPPER EAST REGION.

The Upper East Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) expresses its grave concern over recent media and public reports regarding the formation of a group known as “The Lions” within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region.

These reports raise serious questions that warrant immediate investigation under the Ghana Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999). Ghana cannot afford any development that may undermine the national consensus against political vigilantism or threaten the peace and stability that our democracy has painstakingly built over the years.

The Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), unequivocally prohibits the establishment, operation, financing, promotion, or participation in political vigilante groups and related activities. The enactment of this law followed years of public concern over politically motivated violence and represented a collective national commitment to consign political vigilantism to history.

Prior to the passage of Act 999, Ghana’s major political parties, under the facilitation of the National Peace Council, signed the Vigilantism and Political Party-Related Violence Pact in 2019. Through that historic agreement, all parties pledged to disband vigilante groups, refrain from establishing or supporting such organizations, and promote peaceful political participation. Parliament subsequently passed Act 999 to give legal force to these commitments and reinforce Ghana’s democratic governance, peace, and security.

Against this background, we call on the Ghana Police Service and all State Security Agencies to immediately commence a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the reported formation of this group. If the investigation establishes that the group’s objectives, structure, or activities fall within the prohibitions of Act 999 or any other law of Ghana, the appropriate authorities must take swift and decisive lawful action against all individuals found culpable, regardless of their political affiliation or status.

The laws of Ghana must be enforced fairly, consistently, and without exception. No individual, political party, or group should enjoy immunity where the rule of law is concerned. Any perception of selective enforcement will only undermine public confidence in our democratic institutions and embolden those who seek to circumvent the law.

We further urge the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to publicly clarify the status, purpose, and activities of the reported group and to demonstrate its commitment to the Vigilantism Pact and the laws of Ghana. Political parties bear a solemn responsibility to promote peace and should not permit the emergence of organizations whose existence may generate fear, suspicion, or insecurity among the public.

The NDC Upper East Regional Youth Wing has full confidence in the professionalism, impartiality, and competence of Ghana’s security agencies. We expect them to discharge their constitutional mandate with courage, fairness, and independence, ensuring that the law is applied equally to all persons without fear or favour.

No political ambition is worth sacrificing the peace, security, and democratic stability of our nation. Ghana has made significant progress in eliminating the culture of political vigilantism through the collective efforts of political parties, the National Peace Council, civil society organisations, religious bodies, traditional authorities, and the Ghanaian people. Those gains must not be reversed.

We therefore call on all political actors to respect the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, reject every form of political vigilantism, and uphold democratic values in the supreme interest of our nation.

The NDC Upper East Regional Youth Wing will continue to remain vigilant and will not hesitate to speak out whenever actions or developments threaten the peace, security, and democratic integrity of Ghana.

Signed

Samson Samari
Deputy Regional Youth Organizer
National Democratic Congress
0247016819