Pro-Government Militias
Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (Ghana)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | no |
| PGM ID Number: | 21 |
| Country: | Ghana |
| Date formed: | Jan. 10, 1984 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The group was formed as an interim committee and was held responsible for the supply and distribution of fuel and essential goods. In November 1984 the Committees of the Defence of the Revolution integrated the Workers’ Defence Committee and the People’s Defence Committee. |
| Date dissolved: | Jan. 1, 1993 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | year |
| Details of Termination: | The group evolved into ACDR following the elections in 1992. After that date there is no more evidence of this group being active. |
| Termination Type(s): | none |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | Association of Committees for the Defence of the Revolution |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | no |
| Former Armed Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: | yes | Main Creating Government Institution: | person/minister; military |
| Government Link(s): | person/minister |
| If link to party, name of party: | None |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | no information |
| Shared Personnel: | no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | domestic government |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | no information |
| Primary Membership: | local |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | None |
| Force Strength: | [unknown, unknown] |
| Target(s): | unarmed political opposition, government critics |
| Purpose(s): | protect state, national or religious institutions; protect property and investment |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Membership: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | In 1982, President Rawlings announced plans to create local defense committees that were supposed to secure his hold to power. Militiamen were supposed to conduct patrols in neighborhoods and to curb political dissent. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | local presence |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | During elections in 1992, the CDR was used to suppress political opposition and to intimidate the population. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | unknown |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no information |
| PGM Members Paid? | no information |
| Reasons for Membership: | No information. |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: | No information. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | The CDR received training in order to assist border guards during their patrols. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | The CDR carried out joint operations with the regular armed forces. According to the sources, the CDRs have local chapters that are active in their neighborhood and carry out their local operations. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.