By Sarah Baafi
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Hamza Suhuyini, has defended the party’s record on human rights and accountability while criticising the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Yensuru Ahunahuna” demonstration.
Speaking on GTV, Suhuyini said the NDC has consistently upheld democratic principles and does not oppose accountability or freedom of expression.
He argued that Ghana’s political evolution from military regimes to constitutional democracy demonstrates a national commitment to protecting civil liberties, adding that the NDC remains aligned with these values.
Suhuyini, however, expressed disappointment over the NPP-led protest, suggesting that its inability to attract significant public support reflects lingering concerns among Ghanaians about past actions under previous administrations.
He cited alleged incidents of intimidation and human rights abuses, including the reported abduction of political activists and social media commentators, which he said continue to influence public sentiment.
Addressing recent controversies surrounding the arrest of a social media commentator, Suhuyini dismissed claims of political interference, explaining that the action was initiated by officers within a police cybercrime unit.
According to him, the officers identified and escalated the issue independently and later became complainants in the case, stressing that there is no evidence linking the move to the government or the presidency.
He maintained that under John Dramani Mahama, state institutions are allowed to function without undue interference, particularly in matters of law enforcement.
To support his argument, Suhuyini referenced events following the 2012 Ghana presidential election petition, where individuals affiliated with the NDC were prosecuted and jailed for contempt of court after making remarks against the judiciary.
He noted that despite pressure on then-President Mahama to intervene, the administration allowed the judicial process to take its course before any executive action was considered.
“This shows clearly that the NDC is not selective when it comes to accountability,” he indicated.
Suhuyini also acknowledged that the New Patriotic Party has the constitutional right to demonstrate and petition the president if it believes fundamental rights are being threatened.
He added, however, that President Mahama has assured that concerns raised will be carefully reviewed and addressed where necessary.
The NDC communicator concluded that the party remains committed to safeguarding democratic governance while ensuring that Ghana’s institutions operate within the rule of law.
