The Deputy General Secretary and Director of Operations of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has dismissed the petition submitted by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) after its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, describing it as lacking substance.
Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Thursday, August 6, Mr Gbande said the government would not be distracted by the protest, insisting that it remains focused on addressing the country’s challenges.
He said although the NPP had successfully organised the demonstration without any major incident, the petition presented to the Presidency would not receive attention because, in his view, it did not address issues that required urgent consideration.
“I’ll assume that they have successfully demonstrated. Nobody is hurt. The police have been law-abiding; they protected them quite apart from their waywardness and ensured that whatever they intended had finished.”
“Let me assure him that that petition they have submitted today, nobody is going to have time to read it because it doesn’t make sense, and nobody is going to waste time. We have a nation to build. We have a country to build.”
The NDC Deputy General Secretary said the government has a responsibility to maintain order and ensure that anyone who violates the law faces the necessary consequences, regardless of political affiliation.
Mr Gbande was responding to claims by NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed that the demonstration was triggered by what the opposition describes as politically motivated arrests, harassment of its members and the imposition of high bail conditions.
He rejected allegations of selective justice, arguing that individuals accused of wrongdoing would be held accountable regardless of their political background.
According to him, if any evidence emerges against Mr Mohammed or any other person over alleged financial misconduct, the appropriate authorities would act.
“If by Monday there is any report that he, Mohammed, has stolen money, I believe he will not do it. If there’s any report against him, then he will be arrested.”
Mr Gbande also criticised the timing of the NPP’s demonstration, which coincided with activities marking the first anniversary of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians.
He accused the opposition party of being insensitive for organising a protest on a day dedicated to mourning the victims.
“You go and stand outside, exploit unsuspecting youths to go and stand in the rain on a day that we are mourning and reflecting on a tragedy that has hit this country.”
“We lost eight statesmen. One-year anniversary, you organise a demonstration, and you call yourself a political party of well-meaning Ghanaians. It’s called waywardness. It’s called insensitivity.”
Mr Gbande maintained that the government respects citizens’ democratic rights, but warned that those who breach the law would be dealt with.
He added that the government would continue its efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals found culpable of wrongdoing.
“So let me assure him that the petition they sent will not be read by anybody. They won’t get any feedback. From tomorrow, the arrests will even intensify. Let Ghanaians be the judge.”
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