The People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the apparent erosion of democracy under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
It says the country’s hard-won democracy, built through years of sacrifice, seems to be under threat due to actions that have led to a weakening parliamentary independence and judicial integrity and endangering freedom of expression.
The PNP cited how the NDC Majority in Parliament – in cahoots with government – has handpicked preferred representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament.
“This is a complete departure from Ghana’s democratic norms and an affront to parliamentary fairness,” a statement issued by National Chairperson and Leader Janet Asana Nabla said.
“When ECOWAS initially refused to swear in the NDC dominated delegation due to these irregularities, the NDC Majority in Parliament reportedly threatened to withdraw from ECOWAS unless its delegation was accepted,” the statement added.
“Such political intimidation is disgraceful and undermines ECOWAS’ independence.”
It also cited the ongoing legal battle by removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo over the nomination and vetting of a replacement.
“Her removal without due process represents a direct attack on judicial independence and a serious case of gender bias.
“Instead of upholding the Affirmative Action Law, which ensures 30 percent representation of women in leadership positions, the NDC government is systematically removing qualified women from key offices to replace them with politically loyal men.”
The PNP also touched on the new Cybersecurity Bill, which has stirred controversy as attempting to gag dissenting opinions.
“While cyber security is important, any law that gives excessive power to the state to monitor citizens’ online activities poses a grave risk to freedom of speech and privacy.
“Such legislation could easily become a tool of oppression rather than protection.”
It said if the NDC government intends to establish a one-party system, it must make that clear to all Ghanaians and the world in general.
The PNP led by its Chairperson is, therefore, appealing to the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union and ECOWAS to take keen interest in Ghana’s current democratic situation.
It called on all Ghanaians as well to “join in protecting our Republic from the creeping shadows of dictatorship”.