The Minority in Parliament on Monday condemned the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for allegedly ordering the arrest and raiding of homes of former government appointees.
The Minority Caucus urged the media, civil society organisations (CSOs) and well-meaning Ghanaians to stand up against the growing trend of intimidation through state institutions including the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and National Security operatives.
Mr Jerry Ahmed Shiab, the Second Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, who addressed the media on behalf of the Caucus at Parliament House, Accra, said such political intimidations and harassments were relics of the coup era and had no place in democratic dispensation.
He added that the Minority was not against prosecution of individuals who had committed any offence but should be taken through the courts or legal system, and not the use of brute force and political intimidation.
“State power must be exercised in good faith and not wielded as a weapon of political intimidation. We will continue to demand justice, transparency, and adherence to the principles of constitutional democracy,” Mr Ahmed Shiab stated.
The legislator mentioned some of the victims of the recent raids and political intimidations as Dr Ernest Addison, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister of Finance, Professor Christopher Ameyaw- Akumfi, former Chairman of the Public Procurement Authority, Mr Kwabena Adu Boahene, former Director of the National Signals Bureau, Mr Lord Oblitey Commey, former Director of Operations at the Jubilee House, and Mr John Peter Amewu, former Minister of Railways Development.
He said those actions were led by Richard Jakpa and officials from the National Intelligence Bureau and National Security, noting that it was a clear violation to Article 18 of the Constitution of Ghana, which protects the fundamental human rights of these individuals, particularly their right to personal liberty, privacy, and protection from arbitrary searches and seizures.
The Caucus expressed its readiness to stand resolute to defend the country’s democracy and the rule of law, noting that “If our institutions are to command public confidence, they must act with integrity, fairness, and respect for individual rights”.
“Ghana’s democracy cannot thrive under a climate of fear and selective justice. The weaponisation of state institutions for political ends is not only dangerous, but also unconstitutional,” the lawmaker stated.
“This incident speaks to a troubling trend of power being abused without accountability, and institutions being manipulated to protect those in power rather than serve the people.
“Let us be clear – the health of our democracy depends on our collective ability to call out abuse when we see it, and to demand better. Ghana deserves better. The people of Ghana deserve better,” Mr Ahmed Shiab added.
