NPP’s Democracy Under Attack Claim Is Hypocritical – Hawk Newspaper Editor Fires Back

The Managing Editor of the Hawk Newspaper has launched a blistering response to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) claim that Ghana’s democracy is under attack, arguing that the party’s own record raises serious questions about the credibility of such accusations.

In a strongly worded commentary at Kessben Maakye show in Accra, the editor said Ghanaians must first understand the fundamental elements of democracy before concluding that the country’s democratic system is under threat.

He maintained that freedom of speech, tolerance of opposing views, respect for institutions and the peaceful transfer of political power are central to democracy and must be protected by all political actors.

The editor questioned the NPP’s position, particularly given its status as a minority in Parliament.
“Why would the minority want to have their say over the majority?” he asked, pointing out that the NDC holds a significantly larger number of parliamentary seats.
He argued that democracy does not mean that the minority should override the majority, stressing that parliamentary democracy operates largely on the principle of majority decision-making.

The editor also accused the NPP of selectively invoking democratic principles while ignoring controversies associated with its own period in government.
He cited several issues, including the passage of the Electronic Levy (E-Levy), alleged political interference with state institutions, the creation of a new voters’ register in less that 6 months ahead of the 2020 elections although it was unconstitutional and other political controversies.

He further questioned why the NPP criticised decisions taken by the current administration when, according to him, the party had previously used its parliamentary majority to push through controversial legislation despite opposition from the then-minority.

The commentary also raised concerns about the NPP’s handling of parliamentary and electoral matters, including disenfranchising of the SALL constituency from voting to elect a member of Parliament in the 2020 general election.

The editor argued that political parties must not attempt to manipulate democratic institutions and subsequently accuse their opponents of attacking democracy when political fortunes change.

He also referenced the controversy surrounding removal of the former Electoral Commission Chairperson and argued that due process and available legal remedies should be respected in all cases.

According to him, “when you manipulate the system, undermine the process, then you are attacking democracy.”
He claimed that President Akufo Addo was the only one who ever appointed his own daughter as head of a public institution.

The commentary further cited several controversies involving former government officials and political actors, including alleged arrests of Kwabena Bobi Ansah and presenting a radio show, and an incident involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin who slapped a police officer and was left off the hook.

Concluding his argument, the editor urged political actors to examine their own records before accusing others of undermining Ghana’s democratic credentials.
He suggested that the NPP’s past actions should remain part of the national conversation whenever the party raises concerns about threats to democracy.
“He who lives in a glass house must not throw stones,” he said, in a pointed warning to political leaders.

The commentary comes amid heightened political debate over the state of Ghana’s democracy, with both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opposition NPP trading accusations over the conduct of democratic institutions and political governance.