By King Amoah
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has unequivocally declared its unwavering commitment to defend the fundamental rights to freedom of speech even at the time when their opponents in the government would try to discourage them.
This stance was indicated by the Member of Parliament for the Weija Gbawe Constituency of the Npp, Honorable Jerry Ahmed Sheibu during a demonstration organized by the the party on Wednesday April 22nd which has the theme,
We are no longer afraid of any act of intimidations.
The major aim of the demonstration stemmed from the fact where a Constituency Communicator Baba Amando was alleged to have been unlawfully arrested by the state security operatives.
The demonstration attracted a large crowd of Npp sympathizers who were seen marching through the principal streets of Sunyani with placards of which some read: If you want peace, peace will definitely come, away with dictatorship and intimidations, fulfill your electoral promises to Ghananians among others.
The demonstrators finally converged at the Bono Regional Coordinating Council where they presented a petition to the regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboah who after recieving it assured them of his readiness to extend it to the Jubilee House for attention.
Speaking to the crowded sympathizers of the NPP after presenting their petition, Hon. Sheibu who led the. demonstration extended the party’s assurances to President John Dramani Mahama and his ministers.
He emphasized that the NPP adheres strictly to the country’s laws and will continue to champion the rights of freedom of speech regardless of any threats they would face from any source.
Hon. Jerry Ahmed Sheibu expressed his deep disappointment in the NDC led government under President Mahama and cited a their alleged failure to fulfill their electoral promises to Ghanaians.
The president the Mp said instead of addressing the pressing national issues the government appears to be focusing on arresting innocent opposition members who dare to challenge its administration.
We have a tall lists of NPP supporters who have been arrested without any justifiable cause, Hon. Sheibu stated and highlighted what he described as a pattern of politically motivated arrests and putting Npp members into detention.
He questioned the government’s commitment to key promises such as the abolition of illegal mining which has now allegedly taken over by the individuals who associated with the ruling party.
He also raised concerns about the “Operation Retrieve All Loot (ORAL) initiative where accountability to Ghananians are yet to make.
Furthermore he talked about the unresolved issues facing the cocoa farmers, the prevailing food scarcity, rising trend of commodity prices and the widespread unemployment challenges which government expects the opposition to praise the administration on these economic hardships.
Hon. Sheibu. observed that in a democratic nation where it is governed by the rule of law the opposition has a constitutional right and a duty to engage in constructive criticism without fear or favor.
The NPP’s demonstration in Sunyani jndicates a growing tension over freedom of expression and political dissent with the party signify its readiness to confront a perceived attempts to stifle opposition voices through legal and democratic means.
