The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on political leaders and state institutions to uphold the rule of law and respect the rights of citizens, warning that Ghana’s democratic gains could be undermined if governments use state power to target political opponents.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the New Patriotic Party lawmaker said democracy can only flourish when those in authority remain committed to fairness, justice and the protection of fundamental freedoms, regardless of political considerations.
“We should never put ourselves in a position where we see wrong as right when we are in government, and right as wrong when we are in opposition,” he said.
Jinapor stressed that Ghana’s democratic journey has been built on respect for the Constitution and the protection of individual liberties, principles he believes must remain central to governance.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee noted that there have been occasions under different administrations where the rights of some individuals appeared to have been infringed upon. However, he argued that such actions should never be excused simply because they occur under a government one supports.
He also expressed concern about what he described as the growing tendency to involve the criminal justice system in matters that could be resolved through civil legal processes.
According to him, allegations of defamation should ordinarily be addressed through the courts as civil cases rather than through arrests and criminal prosecutions.
“As I grant you this interview, if I say something very horrible about a member of government, or even about the President, and I injure his reputation, what should happen is that I am condemned by right-thinking Ghanaians, and if the person feels defamed, the appropriate action is to go to court,” he said.
Jinapor criticised situations where individuals are arrested or detained over comments made about public officials, arguing that such actions can create the perception that the criminal justice system is being used as a tool of punishment.
“I’m not to be dragged through the criminal justice system, thrown into jail, and given onerous bail conditions, with bail being used as punishment,” he stated.
The Damongo MP further cautioned against the politicisation of state institutions, saying governments must avoid creating a cycle in which political transitions are followed by the harassment of former officeholders or opposition figures.
“It is important that, in a democracy, the rule of law prevails, people’s rights are respected, and we do not create this circus where, after a change of government, members of the previous administration or the opposition are harassed,” he said.
Jinapor maintained that Ghana has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s stable democracies through years of democratic practice and peaceful transfers of power.
He urged political actors across the divide to protect those achievements and ensure that partisan interests do not weaken the country’s democratic institutions.
He emphasised that political power is temporary, making it important for every government to strengthen democratic norms rather than undermine them, as today’s officeholders could become tomorrow’s opposition.
NA/BAI
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