The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lashed out at the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah for the arrest and subsequent torture of journalists
According to the NDC, the minister should resign or be suspended for an investigation to be launched into the matter.
Describing the arrest of the journalists as ‘gestapo-styled and a barbaric act’, the party expressed worry of the recent cases of attacks on journalists under the Akufo-Addo government which it says is “evidently a scar on press freedom in the country.”
In a statement signed by the NDC National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, the party wants all those involved in the inhumane treatment meted out to the journalists to be made to face appropriate sanctions.
“The time has come to say enough is enough! The time is now for the Ghanaian people to bare our teeth at this Akufo-Addo government and send a clear message to this regime that Ghana’s democracy and our freedom of speech were won at a price, and not gifted to us on a silver platter.”
“The NDC hereby calls on Albert Kan Dapaah to immediately resign as National Security Minister or be suspended by the President, to allow for a full-scale investigation into allegations of torture of the journalists. We submit that all those found culpable must be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
“The attacks on press freedom, free speech and the creeping culture of silence that we are witnessing under President Akufo-Addo are a natural culmination of our collective silence over one too many attacks on journalists which have gone unpunished in recent time. To remain silent is to allow evil to triumph, to keep mute over these happenings is to encourage this sinister tide.”
NDC take on Nana Addo over the assault
The party also said, “It is a shame that President Akufo-Addo is presiding over these barbaric attacks on press freedom and egregious human right violations.”
“His deafening silence on this and similar acts of repression does not do his reputation any good. As a vainglorious believer in the rule of law and a self-acclaimed human rights champion, he can do better. These barbaric acts will forever remain a blot on his reputation if he fails to act. He must for once, live up to expectation by ensuring that justice is served in this matter. Any attempt to trivialize this issue as we have seen in times past will only encourage the impunity that is already on the prowl in our nation. The time to act to safeguard our democracy is now.”
“We join many well-meaning Ghanaians in registering our revulsion to this barbaric act, and wish to express our deepest concern over deteriorating press freedom under President Akufo-Addo.”