Audio By Carbonatix
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aspiring National Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has warned that no government remains in power forever.
He is cautioning that the treatment of political opponents today could become the standard for future administrations.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Mr Aboagye argued that actions taken against political opponents could have lasting consequences for Ghana’s democracy, regardless of which party eventually assumes power.
His comments come amid heightened political tensions over the treatment of some opposition figures and ahead of a planned demonstration by the NPP and its supporters.
Mr Aboagye said history shows that no government is permanent, urging those in power to avoid creating precedents they may later regret.
“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. Even in our darkest ages, even with military rule, there was change of government.
"Even the military, even with guns, even when people were being dragged from their rooms and being shot in the head in this country, there was a change of government.”
He continued, “So don’t delude yourself and think that I am in power today and I’ll be in power forever. There will be a change in government one day. It could even be your own party, but you will not be part of it.
"And that precedent of leaving the people who are close to me to do what they have to do, but letting me go after my opponents who are also accused of doing the same thing and incarcerating them, will be used against you.”
When host Evans Mensah suggested that some NPP executives had previously made similar comments that governments do not stay in power forever, Mr Aboagye rejected the suggestion that he was advocating retaliation if the NPP returns to office.
“No, I haven’t said that….but I am saying that precedent becomes law,” he said.
Asked whether such a precedent could later be used against the NDC, he replied, “That’s why I’m speaking against it. I’m genuinely worried about it. 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.”
Explaining why he felt that way, Mr Aboagye said his willingness to speak publicly was what concerned him.
“Because I talk. I can’t stop talking. I can’t. I love to talk. I love to debate,” he said.
He stressed that his concerns were not about threats to his life but about protecting free expression in Ghana.
“I feel that my mouth will put me into trouble,” he said.
Mr Aboagye argued that many of those expected to join Wednesday’s protest shared similar fears.
“So the 1000s of people who are coming on the streets tomorrow. That is how most of them feel. That 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 added that governments should avoid targeting outspoken opponents because such actions could eventually be turned against them.
“So 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. Y
"ou should be worried because what you are telling me is that when one day I have an opportunity to also be in government, I should also target people who are loud.”
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