NDC gov’t committed to protecting freedom of speech – Suhuyini

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team member Hamza Suhuyini says the government will not take steps to restrict freedom of speech or suppress opposition voices.

His comments come after the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) held a demonstration accusing the government of selective justice and demanding greater accountability in criminal prosecutions.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Saturday, August 8, which was followed closely by today.com.gh, Mr Suhuyini said the NPP had the right to organise the protest and express its concerns.

He said the government remained committed to protecting the democratic freedoms guaranteed to citizens and political parties.

“But this government will not engage in acts seeking to undermine freedom of speech. Okay, that I can assure you,” he said.

Mr Suhuyini suggested that the NPP demonstration could also be viewed as part of the party’s efforts to reorganise itself and assess its relevance in Ghana’s political environment.

He said political parties must be allowed to mobilise their supporters and raise concerns about government decisions without fear of suppression.

However, he criticised the Minority Leader’s concerns about how the NPP’s petition was received following the demonstration.

The Minority Leader had questioned why the NPP delegation was not received by two or three government officials during the presentation of the petition.

Mr Suhuyini challenged the basis of that complaint, asking whether any law required a specific number of government representatives to receive a petition on behalf of the President.

“Where is it stated that under law he needed two or three people to receive the petition on behalf of the President?” he asked.

He argued that the official who received the petition had the authority to do so because she was a government appointee.

“She’s an appointee of the state,” he said.

Mr Suhuyini said the fact that the NPP is the parliamentary Minority did not mean government was required to provide a particular number of officials whenever the party submitted a petition.

He maintained that the important issue was whether the petition had been formally received by an authorised representative, rather than the number of officials present.

The NPP demonstration focused on concerns over the government’s handling of criminal prosecutions and what the party described as selective justice.

The opposition has called for greater accountability and consistency in the application of the law, while the government has rejected suggestions that it is using state institutions to target political opponents.

Mr Suhuyini’s comments add to the ongoing political debate over the government’s approach to opposition criticism and the protection of democratic freedoms.

He said the government’s position was that political parties should be able to express their views and organise lawful demonstrations without interference.

The NDC communicator also maintained that disagreements over the handling of petitions should not be presented as evidence of a restriction on democratic rights.

The debate comes as Ghana’s two main political parties continue to disagree over the government’s handling of justice-related matters and the conduct of state institutions.