The opposition New Patriotic Party has petitioned the diplomatic community to keep a close watch on Ghana’s human rights and democratic governance climate, warning of what it calls a troubling decline under the current administration.
The petition was delivered to Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, by Weija-Gbawe MP and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, on behalf of the party.
Shaib urged international partners to stay vigilant and engaged in safeguarding Ghana’s democratic norms, noting that the country’s democratic gains have historically been reinforced by principled support from the global community.
“We are calling on diplomats, development partners, human rights organisations, and defenders of democratic governance to closely observe developments in Ghana,” the petition stated.
The NPP asked the diplomatic corps to publicly underscore the need for freedom of expression, judicial independence, due process, and political tolerance as pillars of Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
The party also accused the government of increasingly weaponising criminal prosecutions against opposition figures and critics. It called for an immediate end to what it described as politically motivated arrests, arbitrary detentions, and intimidation of opposition leaders, journalists, and activists.
Additionally, the petition appealed for international backing to ensure that state institutions — especially the judiciary and security services — operate within constitutional boundaries and are free from partisan interference.
“This government headed by President John Dramani Mahama does not understand that the Criminal Libel Law was repealed and that he has brought back the culture of silence again,” Jerry Ahmed Shaib said during the presentation.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
