The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of waging an “assault on free speech” as the House reconvened for the second meeting of the second session.
Delivering the Minority’s welcome address on behalf of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei levelled the charge before the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. The Asokwa MP stated that the parliamentary recess had been characterised by troubling actions against citizens who expressed dissent.
Addressing the Chamber, Appiagyei asserted that “Armed officers were sent to arrest citizens for expressing dissent,” further characterising the actions by stating, “That is an assault on free speech in a democracy.”
She argued that Parliament could not remain silent whilst constitutional rights were under threat, maintaining that the legislature must act as a check on executive power.
Defending the opposition’s stance, she declared, “These are not opposition allegations. When the executive fails, Parliament must speak. When the government will not answer, this House must ask. When power is abused, it is our duty to say so clearly and without apology.”
She concluded by noting that the Minority raised the issue “to greet the people of Ghana, the suffering owners of this democracy in whose name we all sit here.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
