The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of undermining free speech and intimidating dissenting voices as the House resumed sittings for the second meeting of the second session.
Delivering the Minority’s welcome address on behalf of Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei, claimed that the parliamentary recess period was marked by disturbing actions against citizens who expressed opposing views.
Addressing Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin on the floor of Parliament, she alleged that security officers had been used to suppress dissent.
“Armed officers were sent to arrest citizens for expressing dissent. That is an assault on free speech in a democracy,” she stated.
According to Patricia Appiagyei, Parliament has a constitutional duty to speak out whenever the rights of citizens are threatened.
“These are not opposition allegations. When the executive fails, Parliament must speak. When the government will not answer, this House must ask. When power is abused, it is our duty to say so clearly and without apology,” she stressed.
She said the Minority was raising the concerns on behalf of ordinary Ghanaians, whom she described as “the suffering owners of this democracy.”
The comments come as Parliament reconvened to begin deliberations for the new meeting amid heightened political debate over governance, accountability and civil liberties.
