Protect Ghana’s Democracy – NAPO

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Constituency Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka ‘Napo’, has urged Ghanaians to jealously protect, promote and advance the democratic system of governance being practiced in the country now.

He said there ought to be a deliberate and concerted effort by all, both the leaders of the country and the citizens being led, to be accommodating and highly tolerant of divergent views.

“We as human beings are no different from the persons living in countries we refer to as advanced democracies and applaud them for their style of governance. It is a decision we have to make that if some countries can be referred to as advanced democracies, we also can be an advanced democracy the word would learn from. Sometimes, you never value what you have until you lose it and it may be for this reason that we have taken the gains of democracy for granted”, the Minister noted.

He continued: “history has taught us that indecent language, hate speech, political victimization, reckless corruption and sheer irresponsibility has led to the destruction of the democratic system in many countries. We should be protective of ours. We should participate freely and willingly in all the small and little elements that makes our democracy solid, including the willingness to visit the polling centers to be sure our names are still intact in the Voters’ register as such an exercise is ongoing now.”

Napo, who doubles as the Minister of Education, was speaking journalists on Thursday after he had successfully checked his name and other details in the electoral register in the ongoing Voter Exhibition Exercise at Ash Town.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh observed that Ghana has passed through difficult times under military leadership,   which was eventually relegated to the background for democratic form of government.

He said protecting and promoting and advancing our democracy is what should be the country’s focus now.

Napo has therefore stressed on the need for Ghanaians to do whatever they could to help protect the infant democracy in the country to survive and develop, in order to help accelerate the developmental aspirations of the country.

He said “some few ago, this democratic form of governance was alien in this country. The country was being governed by a military regime and so the rule of law and the rights of people that we are enjoying in the country today was not there.

“During those dark days, we were sometimes ordered to sleep at 6pm and we had to oblige without complain because we were being governed by autocratic leaders. Therefore we should play leading roles to protect our democracy”, Napo added.

The Manhyia South Constituency Lawmaker also entreated people that have attained the voting age of 18 years in his constituency and Ghana in general, to visit the various exhibition centers and check their names so they can vote in 2020.

Napo sternly cautioned the people about the dangers of being disenfranchised, saying that “If you refuse to vote, other people will go and vote for someone you don’t like to implement bad policies to take Ghana back from this current path to success”.