The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has accused the government of using the arrest of opposition members to distract the public from its unfulfilled campaign promises.
He made the remarks following the remand of the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, widely known as Abronye DC.
Authorities are currently investigating him over alleged misinformation and offensive comments made in public.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 19, Ahmed Shaib claimed the government was trying to silence critics while avoiding growing concerns about the economy and governance.
“I am telling you this is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the incompetence of the NDC government led by President Mahama. The lofty promises they made to Ghanaians, including the 24-hour economy, are yet to materialise, and now they cannot even keep the lights on,” he claimed.
The Weija-Gbawe lawmaker further alleged that the government was focusing on critics instead of solving the problems affecting ordinary citizens.
He warned that such actions could threaten freedom of expression and weaken democratic values in the country.
Meanwhile, the opposition NPP has called on diplomats and international partners to closely observe what it describes as a worsening situation involving human rights and democratic governance in Ghana.
The party made the appeal through a petition presented to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Imane Ouaadil.
Presenting the petition on behalf of the NPP, Ahmed Shaib urged the international community to stay alert and continue supporting Ghana’s democratic system.
According to the petition, Ghana’s democracy has benefited over the years from the support, vigilance, and active involvement of the international community, especially during times of political tension and uncertainty.
