NPP’s intolerance to criticism unhealthy for democracy - NDC Secretary

The Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Navrongo central, Dr. Selanwiah S. Mumin, has said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions is not healthy for the growth of a multi-party democracy in the country.

According to him, the governing party’s intolerance to divergent views from their political opponents clearly indicates that democracy cannot thrive as long as the NPP remains in power.

In a statement he released on Monday, the scholar said the NPP since its assumption of power has “done things systematically” to gag the Ghanaian media and people who want to speak out on issues bordering on national development.

Making references to the closure of Radio Gold and Radio XYZ, two Pro-NDC radio stations, by the National Communication Authority (NCA) on grounds of expired operational licenses, Dr. Selanwiah expressed shock and displeasure in government for issuing such directives to close down the stations, adding that their actions are a threat to the growth of democracy in the country.

“Our forefathers handed us a country that has grown to be a beacon of democracy worthy of emulation by other countries in Africa. Our standards could almost be likened to the bearers of democracy. But under this NPP government same cannot be said about Ghana. Recent happenings show that this government does not believe in what they preached when they were in opposition. They have done things systematically to show that they want to choke the media into permanent silence so they can perpetuate evil against the people of Ghana”. The statement said.

He said the NPP government should have been working hard to provide the conducive environment for journalists and media owners to encourage them in their fight against corruption and not try to cow and intimidate them.

Dr. Selanwiah criticized government for failing to work hard to demystify the circumstances surrounding the death, threats of life and brutalities on Journalists in the country with a call on them to wake up.

“As we speak, we have lost Ahmed Suale and the simple reason is that he stood against corruption which is the daily bread of this government. Manasseh Azure of the Multimedia group is currently in exile because he has unearthed a group of monsters and hoodlums having the Christian Borg castle as their base. Adeti Edward’s life is also in danger for his investigations on corruption. Government must do more in helping journalist and not intimidate them and close down their stations”. He stressed.

He has meanwhile, urged Ghanaians to continuously speak up against every wrong move of government despite the restrains. He believes good and constructive criticism will propel national development.