Managing Editor of The Informer, Andy Kankam, has called for stronger and more independent democratic institutions, warning that Ghana’s democracy cannot thrive when political parties seek to influence institutions such as the judiciary and Electoral Commission.
Commenting on the August 6 protest by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kankam acknowledged criticisms that the timing was insensitive, given that the day marks the one-year commemoration of the six people who lost their lives in a helicopter crash.
However, he noted that under a democracy, the NPP has the right to stage a protest.
He also questioned comments by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding Nana Yaa Jantuah being the one to receive their petition connected to the protest, while contrasting the current situation with previous demonstrations that resulted in the burning of car tyres and destruction of property.
Kankam said the absence of such incidents could be seen as “a growth in democracy.”
Turning to the broader state of Ghana’s democracy, he criticized the tendency of political parties to treat public institutions differently depending on whether they are in power or opposition.
“When political parties are in power, they befriend public institutions, especially the EC and judiciary, but when in opposition they bastardize all of them,” he said.
He stressed the need for institutions to remain independent and free from political manipulation.
“We must ensure that our institutions are independent and free [from] political manipulations to create a better Ghana,” Kankam stated.
He further argued that justice must be dispensed independently if Ghana is to build a credible democracy.
Kankam also weighed in on political communication, warning that freedom of speech should not become an excuse for attacking and destroying the reputations of political opponents.
He urged political parties in opposition to focus on presenting alternative policies to voters rather than engaging in insults and personal attacks.
He also cautioned against describing every disagreement with the law or its enforcement as an attack on democracy.
“If we think the law is being punitive, then we should repeal it,” he argued.
By Maurice Otoo
