Journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has criticised what he describes as Ghana’s tendency to turn accountability matters into political debates.
Speaking on the reaction to the arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the investigative journalist said many Ghanaians focus on defending individuals based on political affiliation rather than allowing investigations to proceed.
“When people are arrested to account for their stewardship, we turn it into a political witch hunt,” he said in a post on social media.
Erastus referenced previous situations where supporters defended political figures facing allegations, saying the focus should be on the issues being investigated.
He recalled the reaction following the arrest of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, over issues involving illegal mining allegations.
“Even when we knew through my numerous reports that Wontumi’s Akonta Mining was polluting the Tano River and mining illegally in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve, people still massed up and demanded his release when he was arrested,” he said.
The journalist said Ghana’s political culture often influences how citizens respond to issues of public accountability.
“Everything is politics in this country. We all want to travel abroad, do you see those people doing the kind of things we do in our country?” he added.
