A member of the NPP communications team, Derrick Agyekum has raised concerns over what he describes as attempts by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, to undermine Ghana’s democratic principles by allegedly suppressing criticism.
Speaking on the Wontumi morning show with the host Oheneba Nana Asiedu, he said that President Mahama has historically been one of the biggest beneficiaries of criticism in Ghana’s democratic dispensation. He, however, questioned why citizens who criticise the current administration or express their views on social media should allegedly face arrest.
Derrick Agyekum stressed that every government must be prepared to accept criticism, whether it is performing well or not, adding that it is ultimately the Ghanaian people who will judge the government’s performance.
“As President, you must accept criticism whether you are performing well or not. The people will be the ones to judge. Our brother Buhari is in police custody, the same as Adamoah. Just because they were asking the government questions, is this what we call a government?”
”Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, then Attorney General under President Kufuor, played a role in upholding democratic freedoms and allowing citizens and political opponents to express their views”.
He accused the current administration of attempting to use criminal libel laws to silence critics, warning that such an approach would not succeed.
“It shows clearly that the President wants to use criminal libel laws to govern the nation, and it will never happen. We will talk until they arrest all of us.”
” I will say this today and forever that the NDC would not be able to weaken or destroy the New Patriotic Party (NPP), regardless of the authority of the government in power.
“The NDC should know that with all the authority, former President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah could not destroy the NPP. How will President John Dramani Mahama do it? It will never happen.”
He also criticized the Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency, Malik Basintale, over claims that the government has fulfilled its promises to the youth.
Mr. Agyekum questioned whether the government had delivered on its campaign promises, arguing that citizens should be free to challenge government officials and demand accountability without fear of arrest.
He maintained that criticism and public scrutiny are essential components of Ghana’s democracy and called on the government to respect the right of citizens to express their views.
“Mahama Cannot Silence Us With Arrests” – Derrick Agyekum
