Dr. Ekua Amoako, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) spokesperson on health for the 2024 manifesto, has launched a scathing critique of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of engaging in a pattern of unsubstantiated allegations aimed at tarnishing the reputation of political opponents. Dr. Amoako argues that the NDC consistently manufactures claims without providing any concrete evidence, using these unfounded accusations as a political weapon. This tactic, she contends, is a deliberate attempt to smear the image of individuals associated with the NPP and to mislead the public for political gain. She emphasized the need for accountability and challenged the NDC to back their claims with verifiable proof, asserting that mere accusations are insufficient and ultimately damaging to the political discourse.
Dr. Amoako highlighted a specific instance of this alleged behavior, citing a claim made by Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice under the Mahama-led NDC administration. Dr. Ayine had alleged that a Member of Parliament (MP) accepted a bribe to suppress an exposé on ghost names at the National Service Authority. Dr. Amoako questioned the plausibility of this claim, asking rhetorically whether an MP possesses the authority to single-handedly quash a news story. She challenged Dr. Ayine and the NDC to substantiate the allegation, emphasizing that making such serious accusations without evidence is unacceptable. This, she argued, typifies the NDC’s pattern of throwing out allegations without any basis, solely to damage the reputation of political rivals.
Furthermore, Dr. Amoako challenged the NDC’s broader approach to addressing alleged corruption. She pointed to previous pronouncements, particularly regarding the alleged misappropriation of state funds, as further examples of the NDC’s tendency to make accusations without offering concrete proof. She specifically referenced a claim made by the NDC about $8 billion allegedly stolen from the Ghanaian economy, and their promise to retrieve the funds and prosecute those involved. Dr. Amoako noted that despite these pronouncements, no concrete action or evidence has been presented, adding to the impression that these claims are primarily politically motivated rather than based on substantial evidence.
Dr. Amoako highlighted the Attorney General’s previous statement about initiating prosecutions of individuals allegedly involved in misappropriating public funds by the end of March. She emphasized that April had arrived with no apparent prosecutions taking place, underscoring the discrepancy between the NDC’s public pronouncements and their actual actions. This lack of follow-through, according to Dr. Amoako, further reinforces the perception that the NDC is more concerned with using accusations as political tools rather than genuinely pursuing justice and accountability.
The NPP spokesperson characterized the NDC’s behavior as a recurring pattern, likening it to “watching the same movie – just a different scene.” This analogy suggests that the NDC consistently resorts to similar tactics of making unsubstantiated claims, regardless of the specific issue at hand. She criticized this approach as not only damaging to individuals’ reputations but also detrimental to the overall political climate, fostering an environment of distrust and hindering productive dialogue.
Dr. Amoako’s accusations reflect a broader concern about the nature of political discourse in Ghana. Her critique emphasizes the importance of factual accuracy and accountability in political debate. By challenging the NDC to substantiate their claims, she advocates for a more responsible and evidence-based approach to politics, where allegations are backed by verifiable proof and not merely used as tools for political maneuvering. This call for accountability is crucial for fostering a healthy democracy and ensuring that political discourse is based on facts rather than conjecture and politically motivated attacks.
