Governance Perspectives of Human Security in Africa

Abstract

Human security should not be considered as a mere academic rhetoric-it is, in fact, a political tool aimed at transforming individuals from conditions of exploitation and domination to that of political participation and accountability. This paper adopts political governance perspectives to analyze human security in Africa. It argues that without accountable democratic governance, the expressed objectives of human security would be difficult to achieve in Africa. By this focus, the paper adopts a broader view of human security, satisfying both the governance and development prerequisites of the concept, which has underpinned [in] security in Africa. The overall estimation of human security in Africa is that only a marginal improvement has been made in the region, especially over the last decade.

Domesticating Vigilantism in Ghana’s Fourth Republic: The Challenge Ahead

“…Also, at the disputed 2012 presidential election petition in the Supreme Court, the presence of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police did not deter vigilante groups from loitering around the court premises with T-shirts with inscription such as Untouchable Forces, linked to the NDC and 'Invisible Forces, linked to the NPP. The phenomenon has since worsened to the extent that as of June, 2019, there were 24 violent political party vigilante groups in Ghana [7,6].…”

“…This, according to him, has led to the use of various violent means in a bit to restore democratic rule, which actually culminated in the military interventions [26]. In the course of such interventions, acts of violence of all forms, including the seed of vigilantism were sowed in Ghana [7,4]. Historical development has made Ghanaians fully conscious that the only language their governments understands is violence [27].…”

“…The case has since died off. In line with such conducts, political parties form vigilantes to defend the "territories of their rival political parties'' particularly during elections [28,7]. In Ghana, the popular assumption is that it appears the police provide regime protection and not state protection, a situation which emboldens people to see the need to resort to vigilantes for their own protection.…”