New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator Dennis “Miracles” Aboagye has cautioned governments against actions that could undermine freedom of expression, warning that political power is temporary and decisions taken today could set precedents for the future.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express with Evans Mensah, Mr Aboagye said the NPP’s concerns behind its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration were rooted in what the party describes as attempts to intimidate citizens who criticise government.
He argued that suppressing dissent could create a dangerous situation where future administrations may rely on the same approach against their political opponents.
“It may be CPP, it may be PNC, be it PNP, but what you are basically telling the country is that tomorrow, when another party is in power, you see, no government will be in power forever,” he said.
According to him, political parties must remember that no administration remains in office indefinitely and that the actions of one government can influence how future governments operate.
Mr Aboagye said Ghana’s political history demonstrates that governments eventually change, regardless of the power or authority they wield.
“Even the military, even with guns, even when people were being dragged from their rooms and being shot in the head in this country, there was a change of government,” he stated.
His comments come as the NPP prepares for its August 6 “Democracy Under Attack” protest, which the party says is aimed at defending democratic freedoms, constitutional rights and the rule of law.
Mr Aboagye, who is currently under investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and has had his bank accounts frozen as part of the probe, rejected suggestions that his remarks represented a threat of political retaliation should the NPP return to power.
“No, I haven’t said that. But I am saying that precedent becomes law,” he explained.
He maintained that governments must be cautious about creating practices that could later be used against them, stressing that the protection of democratic rights should apply regardless of political affiliation.
The NPP communicator said the party’s position is that democratic institutions must remain strong enough to protect citizens’ freedoms and prevent the abuse of state power.
