The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Hon. Sammi Awuku, has criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration over what he described as the criminalisation of administrative infractions.
“Now they make even administrative infractions criminal,” he stated.
He said the conduct of some investigative bodies had also created concern among officials within the NDC.
“Looking at the behaviour of EOCO and investigative bodies, they themselves feel worried about how their colleagues manning investigative bodies are behaving,” he said.
Speaking in an interview on UTV, the former National Youth Organiser said the NPP accepts the principle of accountability, but the actions of the current government and investigative bodies have raised concerns about what could happen to its appointees in the future.
“I fear for the appointees of the current government because of what is happening to NPP members,” he said.
He stressed that public officials must be ready to account for their stewardship after leaving office, regardless of which political party is in power.
“The NPP will not run away from accountability, the same way I do not expect the NDC to run away from accountability when they leave government,” he stated.
However, he said recent developments had raised concerns that future administrations could use investigations and prosecutions against political opponents as a form of retaliation.
“It is a public service, and we do not run away from accountability, but the doings and behaviour of this government make me afraid for their current appointees,” he said.
Sammi Awuku argued that the increased scrutiny of former NPP officials could set a precedent that may eventually affect members of the current administration when political power changes hands.
He further raised concerns about what he described as the criminalisation of administrative infractions.
He warned that even if former Vice President and current flagbearer of the NPP Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia were unwilling to pursue political retaliation after a future change of government when he becomes president in 2028, pressure could come from other actors within the political system.
“It might not be the will of Dr. Bawumia to retaliate, but there will be people who will put pressure on the elected president and the government to,” he warned.
