NDC criminalising administrative infractions - Sammi Awuku

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has lamented the manner in which the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration is criminalising administrative infractions.

“Now they make even administrative infractions criminal,” he stated.

According to him, the conduct of some investigative bodies has also created unease among officials within the NDC.

“Looking at the behaviour of EOCO and investigative bodies, they themselves feel worried about how their colleagues manning investigative bodies are behaving,” he said.

Speaking on UTV, the former National Youth Organiser noted that while the NPP accepts the principle of accountability, the conduct of the current government and investigative bodies has raised concerns about what could happen to its appointees in the future.

“I fear for the appointees of the current government because of what is happening to NPP members,” he said.

He stressed that public officials must be prepared to account for their stewardship after leaving office, regardless of the political party in power.

“The NPP will not run away from accountability, the same way I do not expect the NDC to run away from accountability when they leave government,” he stated.

However, he said recent developments have made him concerned about the possibility of future administrations using investigations and prosecutions against political opponents as a form of retaliation.

“It is a public service, and we do not run away from accountability, but the doings and behaviour of this government make me afraid for their current appointees,” he said.

Sammi Awuku argued that the heightened scrutiny of former NPP officials could create a precedent that may eventually affect members of the current administration when political power changes hands.

He further expressed concern about what he described as the criminalisation of administrative infractions.

He warned that even if former Vice President and current flagbearer of the NPP Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, were unwilling to pursue political retaliation after a future change of government when he becomes president in 2028, pressure could come from other actors within the political system.

“It might not be the will of Dr. Bawumia to retaliate, but there will be people who will put pressure on the elected president and the government to,” he warned.