The New Patriotic Party (NPP) wishes to categorically express discontent at the way and manner its members are being hounded and persecuted by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and its operatives. In a statement released in Accra on Monday, it condemned the constant acts of persecution on the part of the NDC through institutions such as the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the National Security apparatus.
The party said it also finds it surprising the posture of government in defending the unlawful acts perpetrated by these institutions. The statement signed by Curtis Perry K. Okudzeto the deputy director of communications Emphasized that the NPP stands for the rule of law, accountability, good governance, and has also displayed just that in its everyday life. However it will not succumb to any attempt by the NDC in prosecuting political mischief and propaganda to act arbitrarily and outside the confines of the law.
The statement continues that certain steps taken by the BNI since the ruling NDC took office and most especially in recent times, amounts to the breach of the fundamental human rights of the citizens of this country. The NPP says it totally condemns the treatment meted out to Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, his wife and two young children, who were physically prevented from boarding a British Airways flight at the Kotoka International Airport on Sunday night. This has resulted in their not being able to travel out of the country as scheduled.
The conduct of the BNI operative, who refused to disclose his identity, depicts the impunity and arrogance that has been reintroduced into Ghana’s body politic, delaying an international flight for an unreasonable amount of time, causing inconvenience to innocent passengers on board the flight. However, in this case Mr Asamoah Boateng has not been charged with committing any crime whatsoever under the 1992 constitution of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. The BNI did not inform him of any interrogation they intended to have, and waited for him to go through check inn and other boarding and travel procedures until when the family got to the boarding gate.
So far Mr. Kwadjo Impiani, former Chief of staff and Minister for presidential affairs, Mr. Akwasi Osei Adzei, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Frank Agyekum, former Deputy Minister of Information have been hauled before the BNI to answer questions on a variety of issues. We wish make to make it clear that we are committed to good governance and the rule of law and will assist the government and its agencies in fighting corruption but not when it exhibits arbitrary and blatant disregard for the law.
We demand an end to this backward militarization of investigations by the BNI and urge them work within the confines of the law. This is a constitutional era and every citizen must be treated and guided by the constitution. We also call on President Atta Mills to fulfil his pledge to be President for all Ghanaians irrespective of party affiliation, and to live up to his word that under his Presidency no Ghanaian will live in fear because he or she does not belong to the NDC.
Signed:Curtis Perry K. Okudzeto
Deputy Director of Communications
NPP Communications Directorate
NPP Headquarters Annex, Kokomlemle, Accra.
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