Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday, expressed displeasure at the approach adopted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) towards the accusation levelled against former President Jerry Rawlings by an activist of the minority party.
Mr Richard Quashigah, NDC Propaganda Secretary who addressed a press conference in Accra said he expected the NPP to condemn the claim by Nana Darkwa Baafi on a radio station that former President Rawlings deliberately burnt down his official Ridge residence in Accra.
He said the leadership of the NPP should have unequivocally rebuked Nana Baafi for the unsavoury comments, but rather chose to focus on the swiftness with which he was arrested and prosecuted by the court, despite the fact that the charges brought against him were consistent with the laws. Mr Quashigah said the endorsement of Baafi's "injurious fabrications" by the NPP did not only touch on emotions but also had the potential to incite riots by a section of the public.
"We are in shock at how the leadership of the NPP mobilised supporters to give Baafi a hero's welcome after he was released from remand on bail." Mr Quashigah, flanked by the national executives of the party including Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said the party also found the approach adopted by the Minority in Parliament on the issue as "a dangerous threat to our democracy as it appears to legitimise irresponsible behaviour".
"We wish to remind the NPP that no rights are absolute and so is the freedom of expression. We cannot have free speech if we just let political speech go wild.
"Let us be mindful of the Rwandan genocide which was ignited by a similar reckless statement on radio.
"Even in the US today, limits to free speech is being talked about because of the danger miscreants can cause in the name of free speech," he said.
Mr Quashigah said the subtle attempts by the NPP to dwell on the incident as though the NDC was bringing back what the NPP terms "dark old days" smacked of hypocrisy.
He cited various instances where the NPP during its tenure in government meted out raw deals to NDC functionaries and supporters, saying, "Ghanaians have not forgotten NPP's records of brutalities on innocent citizens and assault on free speech in recent past".
"The NPP is fast carving a niche for itself as a circus party. Else how can they preach virtue and practice vice. They are trumpeting the virtue of freedom of speech yet they have the record as being the most intolerant party in our nation's history," Mr Quashigah said.
He said careful reflection on the issue suggested that the NPP was adopting diversionary tactics to divert the attention of the public to a number of reasons including the corruption allegation that the former Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Craig Murray raised on the alleged dubious contracts between some foreign companies and government from, which some NPP functionaries may have benefited from.
He said the "inferior" tactics being adopted by the NPP was not only to divert attention from bitter rancour within the ranks of the party that was threatening the core of its existence but also to intended to prepare the stage to create mayhem and disregard for the rule of law, when the Attorney General completes its investigations and begins to prosecute the party's officials who may have looted state coffers.
"We wish to assure the teeming supporters of the NDC that this government is focused on realising its Better Ghana Agenda and our opponents know it and shudder because our progress means only one thing; they will continue to be in opposition after 2012."
The party admonished the NPP not to threaten the modest democratic gains Ghana had made but should rather seek ways that which would move the nation forward. 23 Feb. 10
