Ambassador Khalifa,Sullivan join No-to-Vigilantism Campaign

 Mr. Khalifa Al-Zaabi ,U.A.E ambassador to Ghana

The observable trend of political vigilantism where the youth take the law into their own hands in order to protect or advance their interests has been a pitfall to Ghana’s cherished democracy. Political vigilante groups have been used for violent protests, property destruction, intimidating voters, mounting roadblocks to prevent “outsiders” from observing polls, invading public premises, threaten or assault opponents, assassinate opponents etc.
The two political heavy weights of Ghana's multi-party democracy, the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress, continue to accuse each other as to who form and use vigilante groups in the name of partisan politics. But what is evidently clear is that the structure and embodiment of these vigilante groups are mainly from the poor Zongo communities within the urban cities.
Following the unfortunate violence and riots that occurred at the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency bye-elections January 31, 2019, after the sudden death of the Member of Parliament for that Constituency, the Emile Short Commission was created to examine the cause of the violence and make appropriate recommendations. Many of the names mentioned by witnesses who appeared by the Commission's hearing could be linked to the Zongo communities.
The rate at which the political vigilantism menace is gradually eating into the fabric of the Zongo communities and the unemployed youths of Ghana compelled the sports arm of the Humanity Magazine, called Football for Humanity, to organized a unity football match between Kumasi Zongo and Accra Zongo at the Wembley stadium in kotobaabi a suburb of Accra. The football match was used to create the awareness and prevention of vigilantism in Ghana.
The beautiful football game which ended in a pulsating 4-4 had to be settled on penalties which went in favour of Accra Zongo. The match would be greatly remembered by the presence of  the U.A.E ambassador to Ghana Mr. Khalifa Al-Zaabi  and the liveliness of the USA Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Stephanie Sullivan, whose presence brought much  flavor to the event right after the national anthem was sang to begin proceedings. They enjoyed every minutes of the game. 

During the break Ambassador Sullivan, who actively played soccer, lacrosse and ice hockey during her days in college used the opportunity to send a message of peace to the public, indicating how glad she is to be part of a football program to promote violence free Ghana.

Ambassador Zaber, who presented the trophy to the wining team, with a supporting hand gesture from the Ambassador Sullivan, called  for unity and peace among Ghanaians and appealled to the public to uphold the peaceful environment that has made Ghana the land of stability in Africa.
  
The pictures and selfies taken with the two Ambassadors on the No-to-Vigilantism event became popular on the various social media platforms sending a positive impact of the campaign which encouraged many to join the awareness creation.

On his part, the founder of Humanity Magazine, Mr. Yahaya Alhassan, also praised Ambassador Mr. Khalifa Al Zaber  and Ambassador Sullivan for their remarkable contribution to the event. He remarked, "you have both   set the important stage for social interactions and awareness to how the youth of Zongo communities should not be used or seen as thugs of political violence but vanguards of the public good." Mr. Yahaya expressed the hope that the “Azorka Boys” and the “Hawks” vigilante groups who are in alliance with the National Democratic Congress, and the “Invincible Forces” and “Delta Forces” groups aligned with the New Patriotic Party, would totally be disbanded and excluded in any political activity in Ghana.