Ghana isn't progressing because of hypocrisy - NDC member

Dela Edem, member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications team, has condemned the hypocrisy of Ghanaians.

Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' regarding the sentencing of the three Montie FM contemnors, Dela Edem stated emphatically that Ghana is not "progressing because of the double standard nature of all of us; Hypocrisy!”

He lambasted Ghanaians for failing to project their voices against any attempts by the Supreme Court to pronounce a custodial sentence on the convicts.

Dela Edem noted that the contemnors had expressed regrets over their comments and further showed a sense of shame, which to him, should have led to lesser judgment.

He added that the contemnors had also apologized before the court and all these actions should have been taken in good faith by the court.

He further alluded to the Supreme Court ruling on some Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, former General Secretary and Sammy Awuku, incumbent National Organizer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who equally made contemptible remarks about the court and wondered why the court pardoned them.

To him, the court should have showed the Montie FM staff and two panelists the same heart.

“Maxwell Kofi Jumah went to the polling station – Electoral Commission – and tore it into pieces. He was arraigned before court and he was fined 1400 cedis. He, as a former Minister, former KMA Boss; a senior official was fined 1400. Now, Ako Gunn (from hand to mouth) like myself arraigned before court and is sentenced to 4 months imprisonment, and further fined GHC100 million (10000 in the new currency). And this morning we are saying this is too harsh.”

Dela Edem further had a message for persons who have dissented to views that President John Dramani Mahama should exercise his powers under Article 72 to grant the convicts pardon

"Those saying it will be early. Let them be jailed awhile because if you do that, you have abused the day. There is a time you’re supposed to do that. Who says so? Who said that there is a provision in the constitution that there is a time where you should exercise that prerogative? Who says so?”