Presidential Aide and Government Communications official, Dr Samuel Ayeh, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of enjoying democratic freedoms under the current administration that it allegedly denied the National Democratic Congress (NDC) when it was in government.
According to him, the NPP has been allowed to organise demonstrations, hold press conferences and present petitions at the Jubilee House despite previously declaring the area a security zone when it was in power.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Dr Ayeh said the contrast between the two administrations demonstrated what he described as the NPP’s lack of seriousness in its claims about the state of democracy.
“There was a time when the NDC could not even go to Jubilee House to present a petition. The NPP government declared it a security zone, preventing protesters from accessing the area, with some Ghanaians being arrested and assaulted. Today, the same NPP can freely demonstrate to Jubilee House and present a petition. The difference is clear,” he said.
He argued that the NPP had enjoyed considerable freedom to express its views since leaving government, including holding press conferences and organising demonstrations.
“The NPP is the only political party that gets the opportunity to do press conferences as many times as they want and say whatever they want, anyhow they want to. After all, they are still saying democracy is under attack,” Dr Ayeh stated.
He cited the treatment of Democracy Hub protesters under the previous administration as an example of what he described as the difference in the government’s approach to dissent.
“They are the only party that are able to do demonstrations even at security zones. There was a time Jubilee House was declared a security zone. We saw what happened to Democracy Hub demonstrators; they were arrested, prosecuted and detained,” he said.
Dr Ayeh noted that the NPP had since staged demonstrations at the same location, which he said was evidence of the government’s tolerance of opposition activities.
“But since they came to power, yesterday was their third time demonstrating at the same place they said was a security zone when they were in power,” he added.
He further praised President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as his openness to criticism and willingness to engage with citizens.
According to him, President Mahama has consistently encouraged Ghanaians to criticise the government constructively and remains accessible to different views.
“President Mahama has consistently encouraged people to continue criticising the government constructively. He listens to the people. He is very affable and accessible to the opinions and views of other people,” he said.
Dr Ayeh also questioned the NPP’s criticism of the judiciary, arguing that it was surprising for the party to suggest that the courts had become aligned with the government.
He recalled comments made by the former administration concerning arrests and detentions, including those involving journalists, and asked what had changed under the current government.
“When people were being detained, including journalists, the former President said the police were doing their job. So what has changed?” he questioned.
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