Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has said the government will not rely solely on allegations made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to demand the dismissal or resignation of public officials, insisting that any decision must follow a proper investigation.
She said the government would not treat the opposition party’s claims as established facts or use them as the basis for taking disciplinary action against individuals accused of wrongdoing.
Muslim made the remarks while responding to the NPP’s demands following the issues raised by the opposition during its Yɛgye yɛ sika demonstrations.
“I have taken a personal stance not to make any further commentary on it until after the processes that have been initiated to establish exactly what the concerns are are determined,” she said.
She stressed that allegations of criminal conduct could not be established through public commentary, arguing that the matter must first be investigated.
“My brother, between you, me and Abanga, we cannot make a determination of any criminal activity or any criminal breach until the matter is fully investigated,” she said.
Muslim therefore declined to discuss the merits of the allegations, saying she would wait for the outcome of the processes initiated to establish the facts.
She, however, maintained that the Mahama administration was committed to accountability and would not shield any government official found to have engaged in wrongdoing.
She cited the NDC’s manifesto, which identifies accountability alongside jobs and prosperity creation as one of the party’s three core pillars.
“President Mahama, in his Resetting Ghana manifesto, popularly acclaimed that no one under his government will be shielded if the person is found to have engaged in any wrongdoing,” she said.
Muslim also referred to the government’s code of conduct, which outlines breaches and corresponding sanctions for established misconduct.
She rejected the NPP’s approach of demanding immediate resignations or dismissals, with the threat of filing a motion of censure if the government failed to comply.
“We are not going to take the claims of the New Patriotic Party as sacrosanct and proceed, therefore, to ask members of government to either resign or be sacked,” she said.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson further contrasted the government’s handling of opposition demonstrations with what she described as the NPP’s approach when it was in power.
She said the opposition had been received with respect during its visits to present petitions and had been allowed to demonstrate without police brutality or attempts to stop its activities.
“On each occasion, they have been welcomed with dignity, with respect, with the honour that they, as members of an opposition and key players in our democracy, deserve,” she said.
