National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has urged the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, to exercise caution in his public commentary regarding the recent violence that marred the parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North. He stressed that Sam George, now a minister of state, must communicate in a manner befitting his office and restrain his emotions, even if he was directly affected by the incident.
“I listened to Sam George, who also threatened that ‘this is just the beginning.’ I understand that he is a victim, so if you put yourself in his shoes, you might think he’s right to say that. But he is a minister of state, so he should speak as such and overcome his feelings,” Asiedu Nketia remarked.
Speaking on the pockets of violence that disrupted the rerun of parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations at the Ablekuma North Constituency, Mr. Nketia acknowledged that while the minister was a victim of violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, it does not justify retaliatory rhetoric following the recent assault on former Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Hawa Koomson.
Responding to some retaliatory comments made by members of the NDC, Mr. Nketia condemned such rhetoric, emphasizing that justice in a democracy is the sole preserve of the law, not individuals or political actors.
“It is wrong because democracy doesn’t give anyone the authority to exact punishment except the state. So, if someone slaps you and you retaliate by slapping someone else, both of you have wronged. That cannot be a justification,” he stated.
He, therefore, called on state institutions to take up their responsibilities and ensure justice is served to the victims. He added that a society characterized by mob justice is a reflection of a broken criminal justice system.
“What we have to do is to call on the state agencies to do their work. Where state agencies fail to act on criminal prosecutions, that’s what leads to instant justice. A society where people lynch a thief is an indication that criminal justice doesn’t work there. So, we should all repose our faith in the system and allow the law to work,” he concluded.