Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has criticized Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko for chastising the former Chief Justice of Ghana, Sophia Akufo over her involvement in the picketing exercise by the individual pensioners holding government bonds.
After the participation of Mad. Sophia Akufo in the exercise demanding that government exempt pensioners from the ongoing Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP), the cousin of the president, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko descended on the former CJ describing her actions as an error.
According to Gabby Otchere Darko, the involvement of Mad. Sophia Akufo is a clear indication that she lacks appreciation of the issues under consideration.
“Why picket over something you don’t like (the improved offer) when you have the right not to sign up? Sorry, but I struggle to get her emotional outburst over-exemption! I hope she won’t volunteer to picket tomorrow and on the same issues when the time to sign up has expired,” portions of a series of tweets by the NPP stalwart read.
But reacting to the issue on Accra-based Okay FM, Nana Obiri Boahen stressed that he cannot fathom the logic behind Gabby’s criticisms on the former Chief Justice.
He explained that everyone has different viewpoints on various subjects so it is incorrect for Gabby to criticize the former CJ for participating in an exercise she finds unfavorable.
“The former Chief Justice is a human being, if she partakes in a demonstration, I don’t see the reason why people should insult her. She’s a human being and everyone has different opinions. When the issue came up, you can’t blame the Minister of Finance and the government because they’ve made us understand that where things have gotten to, we’re in dire times so there’s the need for everyone’s help.”
He added “…now, you can’t also blame the Chief Justice and her pensioners also…because they have also invested their money and hope to enjoy the profits.
“The government is also saying because we’re in crisis they need to adjust things to make the economy better. The government hasn’t committed any crime and the pensioners who also went to do the picketing have not committed any crime. Because picketing is a form of democracy. There is nothing like pulling a gun, knife, or sword in picketing, they just want to express their displeasure.
“So, I don’t see the reason why someone should attack the former Chief Justice, I don’t understand. Because everyone is expressing his/her views so why do you attack her? I beg to differ I don’t agree with him,” Nana Obiri Boahen added.
He therefore cautioned that “she is just expressing her views, so we shouldn’t do. We should be careful with our communications.”
