Rising insecurity sparks debate over equal justice for violent crimes
The growing menace of armed robbers and land guards across Ghana has reignited a national debate on whether the law should treat both groups with equal severity. As violent incidents linked to land disputes and robberies continue to dominate headlines, many Ghanaians are asking a critical question: should justice apply equally to both?
Yes — the law must deal with armed robbers and land guards equally or No — They must be treated separately.
Both armed robbers and land guards employ violence, intimidation, and weapons to terrorise citizens. While armed robbers often attack motorists, homes, and businesses, land guards are increasingly linked to shootings, assaults, and killings arising from land ownership disputes. In effect, the impact on public safety is the same — fear, loss of life, and instability.
Although land guards sometimes operate under the guise of protecting property or enforcing land claims, their actions frequently violate the law. The use of firearms, machetes, and hired muscle to settle disputes undermines the rule of law and fuels insecurity, especially in urban and peri-urban communities.
Ghana’s legal system must therefore send a clear message that violence is violence, regardless of the label attached to the perpetrator. Selective enforcement or leniency only emboldens criminal networks and weakens public confidence in the justice system.
Law enforcement agencies have made notable arrests in recent months, but critics argue that inconsistent prosecution and political interference have allowed some land guard activities to persist. Equal treatment under the law would not only deter crime but also encourage lawful avenues for resolving land disputes through the courts.
As the issue continues to trend across Ghana media platforms, many citizens believe a firm, unbiased application of the law is essential to restoring peace and protecting innocent lives. Justice, they argue, must not differentiate between crimes that produce the same deadly consequences.
