Let your voices be heard on important matters — NDC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the clergy, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), to make their voices heard on  important matters affecting the nation.

According to the party, their loud silence does not augur well for the democratic dispensation of the country.

Commenting on the fracas between the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Otiko Djaba, and the Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Daniel Bugri Naabu, the NDC ranking member on communications in Parliament, Alhaji ABA Fuseini, explained that the voices of CSOs, GBA and the clergy were required on such serious national matters.

Background

It will be recalled that about a week ago, Mr Naabu led a group to disrupt a meeting organised by  Madam Djaba at Modern City Hotel in Tamale. The chairman later explained that Madam  Djaba did not inform him before holding the meeting with the women in the region. This resulted in altercations between the two on various media platforms. The two later apologised to the President and Ghanaians, with Mr Naabu explaining that his altercations were a slip of tongue.

Slip of tongue

In Alhaji Fuseini’s view, Mr Naabu’s description of his actions as a slip of the tongue was at best laughable and one of comic relief, so he must be advised to refrain from insulting the intelligence of Ghanaians with such ridiculous statement.

“We are also calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to rise up to their constitutional mandate and perform their legitimate duties without the fear of the executive.”

Classic display of wealth

According to Alhaji Fuseini, the fracas between the two NPP leaders clearly spelt out issues of bribery and corruption and ought to be interrogated by constitutional, legal and any other legitimate means.

He stated that their statements bordered on matters such as the management of the national purse, “serious allegations of bribery and corruption, interference with matters before a court  of competent jurisdiction and issues of conspiracies  resulting in the death of a citizen of the land and the administration of justice.”

He stressed that the statements by the two NPP stalwarts were not made in the secrecy of their bedrooms but on radio voluntarily and ought to be condemned by all concerned Ghanaians.

The ranking member on communications wondered how the NPP could agree that these were grave matters requiring reciprocal action and yet just call for mere apologies from the two.

“This is unconscionable. By this action, the President and the NPP have demonstrated clearly to all Ghanaians that they totally lack the will to fight corruption and abuse of the national purse. They have also shown their preparedness to sacrifice  the abuse of fundamental human rights of citizens, including those who have been callously murdered on the altar of interest of the NPP as a political party,” he stated.

 Sweep under the carpet

Alhaji Fuseini said: “This is a huge disappointment to the millions of Ghanaians who had hoped that the President and the NPP would protect the national interest even if it meant giving up a few members whose acts pose veritable threat to our democratic dispensation, to the rule of law and fundamental human rights and the resources of the state.”

The Minority, he said, viewed the decision of the NPP as an attempt by the party and President to sweep this disgraceful  development under the carpet. “This will not and cannot and must not be allowed.”

Alhaji Fuseini said the Minority would use every available constitutional, legal and legitimate means to ensure that “we get to the bottom of this matter.”

Father of all Ghanaians

He also called on the President to rise above these extreme partisanship and act as a leader and father for all Ghanaians.