The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on members of the diplomatic community and Ghana’s international partners to pay close attention to what it describes as a worsening human rights climate and declining standards of democratic governance in the country.
The request was presented in a formal petition submitted to Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, who serves as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
Speaking on behalf of the party, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, urged the international community to stay alert and actively support the protection of democratic values in Ghana.
The petition stated that Ghana’s democratic progress has, over the years, been strengthened through collaboration, oversight, and constructive engagement from global partners.
For that reason, the NPP encouraged diplomats, development agencies, and international human rights organisations to closely monitor political and governance developments in the country.
The party also called for renewed global emphasis on safeguarding freedoms such as expression, judicial independence, fair legal processes, and political tolerance within Ghana’s constitutional framework.
In addition, the petition asked the diplomatic community to engage Ghana’s government over what the NPP claims is a rising trend of criminal charges being used against opposition politicians and individuals expressing dissent.
The party further demanded an end to what it describes as politically motivated arrests, prosecutions, arbitrary detentions, and intimidation targeting opposition figures, journalists, and civil society actors.
It also appealed for international support in ensuring that state institutions, especially the judiciary and security agencies, operate strictly within constitutional boundaries and remain free from partisan influence.
During his remarks, Jerry Ahmed Shaib stated, “This government headed by President John Dramani Mahama does not understand that the Criminal Libel Law was repealed and that he has brought back the culture of silence again.”