Shamima Muslim, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, has stated that the Mahama administration will not act on allegations levelled by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against public appointees without first establishing the facts through a thorough investigation.
According to Shamima Muslim, the Mahama government would not allow accusations from the opposition to dictate decisions on whether officials should be dismissed or compelled to resign.
She stressed that disciplinary measures must be based on verified findings rather than claims made in the public domain.
Shamima Muslim made the remarks in response to the NPP’s calls for action against certain government officials following concerns raised during its Yɛgye yɛ sika demonstrations.
She stated, “I have taken a personal stance not to make any further commentary on it until after the processes that have been initiated to establish exactly what the concerns are are determined”.
Shamima Muslim further argued that neither public debate nor political commentary could be used to determine whether an individual had committed a criminal offence or breached the law.
According to her, such conclusions could only be reached after the relevant investigative procedures had been completed.
“My brother, between you, me and Abanga, we cannot make a determination of any criminal activity or any criminal breach until the matter is fully investigated,” she said.
She also consequently declined to pronounce judgment on the allegations, insisting that the government would allow the appropriate processes to run their course.
Shamima Muslim nevertheless reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to holding public officials accountable, saying no individual found culpable of misconduct would receive protection because of their position in government.
To support her position, Shamima Muslim cited the NDC’s Resetting Ghana manifesto, which identifies accountability, job creation and prosperity as the party’s three central pillars.
She recalled President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge that individuals who engage in wrongdoing under his administration would be held responsible for their actions.
“President Mahama, in his Resetting Ghana manifesto, popularly acclaimed that no one under his government will be shielded if the person is found to have engaged in any wrongdoing,” she said.
Also, she pointed to the government’s code of conduct, explaining that it provides guidelines on misconduct by public officials and the sanctions applicable when breaches are established.
She also pushed back against the NPP’s demand for immediate dismissals and resignations, particularly its threat to initiate a motion of censure if the government failed to act on the allegations, insisting that the administration would not take disciplinary decisions simply because the opposition had made demands.
“We are not going to take the claims of the New Patriotic Party as sacrosanct and proceed, therefore, to ask members of government to either resign or be sacked,” she said.
Beyond the NPP allegations, Shamima Muslim also criticised what she described as the contrast between the NDC government’s treatment of opposition activities and the NPP’s conduct while in office.
She said the current administration had consistently allowed the opposition to present its petitions and organise demonstrations without intimidation or the use of excessive police force.
According to her, the NPP had been accorded the respect and recognition expected of an opposition party in a democratic society whenever it had engaged the government through protests or petition presentations.
Shamima Muslim added, “On each occasion, they have been welcomed with dignity, with respect, with the honour that they, as members of an opposition and key players in our democracy, deserve”.
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