Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, a former Information Minister, has expressed deep concern about what she believes is a growing threat to the independence of Ghana’s constitutional and state institutions under the current administration.
According to her, Ghana’s political space has become so polarised that each change in government leads to an unhealthy scramble by public institutions to prove loyalty to the new regime.
“When a new government comes, there is that desire to fall on each other just to please the current administration so that they will not be touched,” she said. “Even in constitutional and independent bodies, the pressure to show loyalty is becoming dangerous.” She disclosed.
She pointed to recent actions by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as an example of what she described as excessive political enthusiasm.
“They are making it look as if they couldn’t work under the previous government,” she explained. “But I don’t even know that office. If I were going there, I would need Google Maps. They had funding and resources in the past and didn’t do much, but suddenly they are acting as though Akufo-Addo forced them not to work.” The private legal practitioner added.
Abubakar warned that any government seeking to consolidate all arms of state power, especially without room for dissent, poses a risk to democratic stability.
“This is very dangerous for this country because any leader seeking to consolidate all the arms of government without room for defence is embarking on a suicide mission,” she stressed.
She contrasted the conduct of the current administration with former President Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint Martin Amidu as the first Special Prosecutor.
“When Akufo-Addo appointed Martin Amidu, people criticised it,” she recalled. “But the President wasn’t looking for someone he could influence. He wanted someone competent, someone who wouldn’t bow to pressure.” She stressed.
