Actors and Networks Embedded in Political Vigilante Groups in Ghana

Abstract The rise of political vigilante groups threatens democratic consolidation, peace and security of elections and national cohesion in Ghana. These vigilante groups, networked and sometimes formed by political party leaders, are mainly used for party election-related activities that go beyond ensuring success for their political party in elections to include protection for party officials and performing law enforcement functions. However, these groups and their activities are not just carried out in isolation, but done through social networks with various actors. This paper examines the actors and social networks embedded in political vigilantism in Ghana. The paper employed interviews and Social Network Analysis ( SNA ). The study established that vigilante groups and their activities were embedded in youth groups, political parties as well as ethnic networks. Additionally, financial networks were key in both the formation and the operations of vigilante groups. Politicians, businessmen and chiefs exert influence and power on vigilante groups. The sociographs also confirmed that the most influential in vigilante group activities were political leaders.