In a series of scathing statements, leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of manipulating legal and constitutional issues for political gain.
Shamima Muslim, Deputy Director of Communications for the NDC’s Zongo Caucus, firmly criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party for what she noted as a consistent disregard for the collective good and a self-serving approach that prioritizes partisan interests over national stability.
In her remarks, Shamima Muslim criticised the Attorney General’s recent comments on parliamentary procedures, suggesting that the NPP’s stance reflects a fundamental lack of respect for Ghana’s democratic institutions.
“Listening to the AG it is clear why trust in our institutions has nose-dived. The NPP is only interested in legalities & constitutionalism only after the status quo no longer works for their interest.”
Shamima Muslim, a Member of the NDC and Deputy Director of Communications of its Zongo Caucus
She underscored what she viewed as a troubling inconsistency in the ruling party’s approach, questioning why the ruling New Patriotic Party took so long to challenge certain parliamentary rulings if they truly believed them to be unconstitutional.
“When did the NPP realize that Speaker Mike Ocquaye’s ruling was unconstitutional?” she asked, implying that the government’s shift in position reflects opportunism rather than principle.
Shamima Muslim’s statement comes as political tensions escalate ahead of the December 7th general election. She painted a stark picture of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s administration, calling it a “danger to the health of our nation.
Citing a pattern of decisions that, in her view, erode institutional integrity, she urged voters to elect former President John Dramani Mahama, asserting that the NDC would “restore trust in our institutions” and put the country back on a path toward unity and collective prosperity.
Defense of Speaker Bagbin’s Action
Echoing her sentiments, Alfred Ogbamey dismissed recent claims by the NPP that the NDC, along with Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, had disobeyed parliamentary laws or defied rulings from the Supreme Court.
He challenged assertions made by the Effutu Member of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the leader of the ruling NPP Caucus in Parliament, who alleged that NDC members had failed to honour a Supreme Court directive.
“Ignore those wasting your ears with idle, scripted tantrums that the NDC and Speaker have disobeyed a ruling or law in Parliament,” Alfred Ogbamey admonished, adding that there is no evidence of disrespect toward either the judiciary or the rule of law by NDC members.
He also dismissed the NPP’s claims as a smokescreen, designed to distract the public from what he said is a strategic failure by the NPP to mobilize its MPs for crucial votes in Parliament.
According to Alfred Ogbamey, the governing party’s parliamentary struggles are due to their inability to rally enough MPs to push through legislation.
“To avoid the potential shame and defeat that will accompany such parliamentary loss, they have resorted to trying to make the Speaker and NDC group a scapegoat of their own failures without success”.
Alfred Ogbamey, a Member of the NDC
Alfred Ogbamey further accused the New Patriotic Party Caucus in Parliament of creating a “diversionary circus” to shift blame and obscure the reality of their weakened parliamentary standing.
He emphasized that claims of disrespect of the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court are deliberate narratives being championed by the NPP Caucus in Parliament led by Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin.
Both Muslim and Ogbamey’s statements reflect an overarching narrative within the NDC that accuses the NPP of undermining Ghana’s democratic framework in pursuit of political power.
They argued that these actions have led to a climate of distrust and a breakdown in public confidence in Ghana’s governing institutions.
While the NPP has defended its record as one of progress and constitutional adherence, Shamima Muslim denounced it, underscoring the NDC’s commitment to champion institutional integrity and social unity
She called for rallying support for the National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate, asserting that “a vote for Mahama is a vote for a reset of Ghana’s democracy“
