Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, has reiterated the Mahama administration’s firm commitment to safeguarding the democratic rights of Ghanaians, especially the right to peaceful protest and free expression.
Mr. Dogbe made the assurance on Monday, May 5, 2025, when he received a petition on behalf of President John Mahama from members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other political groups who staged a demonstration at the Jubilee House. The protest was in reaction to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Addressing the demonstrators, Mr. Dogbe said that under President Mahama’s leadership, the right to demonstrate would be fully protected.
“I can assure you, and the people of Ghana, that we appreciate the fact that just as the government ensured you went about your demonstration peacefully, there was another one last weekend that also took place without any attempt to prevent people from expressing themselves,” he stated.
He noted that the peaceful conduct of recent demonstrations reflected a clear break from the practices of the previous administration and showed the current government’s respect for democratic principles.
“We are happy that your process started this morning and ended very peacefully. That in itself is a very strong message about the democracy that President Mahama wants to instil.”
“If it were the case, like over the past 8 years, I am sure that the retaliatory politics that we talk about wouldn’t have been the case. Your referencing retaliatory politics is an admission that the 8 years of President Akufo-Addo were not the best.”
“You are assured that President Mahama, as every Ghanaian knows, is not one of those politicians; he doesn’t believe in retaliatory Politics. He is described as ‘too much father for all persons’. Whatever decisions that are being taken now are in line with our 1992 Constitution.”
“We will continue to allow for peaceful expression in this country under President Mahama. Nobody is going to inhibit or stop anyone from doing that,” Mr. Dogbe said.
He further pointed out that President Mahama, within just 120 days in office, has already demonstrated a strong resolve to protect and advance Ghana’s democracy.
“That should tell you that President Mahama, in less than 120 days, has shown how he is going to preserve and grow the democracy of Ghana,” he said.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
