The opposition New Patriotic Party has called on the diplomatic community and international partners to pay close attention to what it describes as growing concerns over human rights and democratic governance in Ghana.
The appeal was made during the presentation of a petition to Imane Ouaadil, Morocco’s Ambassador to Ghana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
Presenting the petition on behalf of the party, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, urged the international community to remain attentive to developments in the country and support efforts aimed at protecting Ghana’s democratic foundations.
According to the petition, Ghana’s democratic progress over the years has benefited from the engagement and vigilance of the international community. The NPP therefore appealed to diplomats, development partners, human rights organisations, and advocates of democratic governance to closely monitor the situation in the country.
The party further called on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to key democratic principles including freedom of expression, judicial independence, due process, and political tolerance.
The petition also accused the government of increasingly using criminal prosecutions against opposition members and critics, and appealed to the diplomatic community to engage authorities on the matter.
In addition, the NPP called for an end to what it described as politically motivated arrests, prosecutions, arbitrary detentions, and acts of intimidation against opposition figures, journalists, and activists.
The party also urged support for ensuring that state institutions, especially the judiciary and security agencies, operate independently and within the bounds of the Constitution.
“This government headed by President John Dramani Mahama does not understand that the Criminal Libel Law was repealed and that he has brought back the culture of silence again,” Ahmed Shaib said.
The development adds to ongoing political debate between the governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition NPP over governance, political freedoms, and accountability.
