Audio By Carbonatix
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aspiring National Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says he is worried about the safety of citizens who openly express their views.
He insists that he personally does not feel safe because of his outspoken nature.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Mr Aboagye said his concerns were not about a direct threat to his life but about the possibility that his public commentary could create problems for him.
His comments follow his earlier concerns about what he described as selective justice and the treatment of political opponents within Ghana’s justice system.
He warned that actions taken against political opponents while in power could create a dangerous precedent that may affect others when political power changes hands.
He said governments do not remain in power forever and that political actors must be mindful of how their actions could be used against them in the future.
“It may be CPP, it may be PNC, be it PNP, but what you are basically telling the country is that tomorrow, when another party is in power, you see, no government will be in power forever,” he said.
Mr Aboagye argued that Ghana’s history, including periods of military rule, shows that political power eventually changes hands.
“Even in our darkest ages, even with military rule, there was change of government,” he said.
He added that targeting opponents for being vocal could set a precedent that may later be used against others.
“I don’t feel safe. I won’t lie to you. I told you I’ve written to the Chief Justice. I personally, I don’t feel safe,” he said.
Asked why he felt unsafe, Mr Aboagye said it was due to his decision to continue speaking openly about national issues.
“Because I talk. I can’t stop talking. I can’t. I love to talk. I love to debate,” he said.
Clarifying his concerns, he said he was not suggesting that his life was under threat, but rather that his outspoken nature could create challenges for him.
“I feel that my mouth will put me into trouble. That is what I feel,” he said.
Mr Aboagye said his concerns extended beyond him, arguing that many others who participate in public discourse also fear being targeted for expressing their opinions.
“So the 1000s of people who are coming on the streets tomorrow. That is how most of them feel,” he said.
He stressed that free speech remains one of Ghana’s important democratic values and must be protected.
“If we don’t have anything at all in Ghana, it is our free speech, it’s our democracy, it’s the fact that we are able to freely express ourselves without any fear of being targeted,” he said.
Mr Aboagye cautioned political actors against celebrating when opponents are targeted, saying the same actions could affect them in the future.
He said, “If you are in government today and you are excited, you are happy that some of your opponents are being targeted because you think they are loud, they have free speech and everything, you should be worried.”
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