Implications of Mob Justice Practice among Communities in Ghana

Abstract

This study assessed the implications of mob justice practice among communities in Ghana. The study used the descriptive survey technique and the sample size for the study was one thousand respondents.  The study comprised all persons who were 18 years and above and were currently residing at Kumasi Metropolis for the past two years and simple random under probability sampling procedure was used in selecting respondents for the study. Questionnaire and structured interview were the research instruments used to collect the data. All the respondents (100%) strongly agree and agree that mob justice has serious implications if not seriously checked and all the respondents (100%) strongly agree and agree that mob justice education, awareness of human rights, improving justice system, police accountability, teaching on non-violence, resourcing the police, citizens’ cooperation and community empowerment are required to deal effectively combat mob justice practice in Ghana. The study concluded that mob justice is a social canker in various Ghanaian communities which clearly violates the protection of the fundamental human rights and has serious implications on Ghana’s young democracy. The root cause of the mob justice is the people distrust in the legal and security authorities to properly handle suspected criminals compounded with the increase rate of crime and other factors. The study recommended that Ghana needs a decisive evaluation of her Criminal Procedure Code with the purpose of amending the outmoded procedures which impede swift trial and eradicating mob justice practice in Ghanaian communities demands a rigorous effort of the government, state institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and all citizens

Keywords: Mob justice, instance justice, rule of law, human rights, justice, Ghana