The Member of Parliament for Mpohor Constituency, John Abam Aboah Sannie, has been accused by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of intimidating the constituents.
The party, organized a news conference over the weekend, addressed by the Mpohor Constituency Secretary of NDC, Daniel Mawuli Kwofie Agbesi, to outline some of the unlawful activities being carried out by the lawmaker to intimidate the constituents.
Consequently, the NDC executives, have called on security agencies to investigate the conduct of the MP.
They also want appropriate institutions in the country that are in charge of holding public officials responsible for misconduct to take action where necessary.
The laws of Ghana maintain that intimidation is an act or course of conduct directed at a specific person or group to cause that person or group of persons to fear or apprehend fear.
The NDC is claiming to witness this happening currently in Mpohor Constituency in Western Region
The Constituency Secretary, Daniel Mawuli Kwofie Agbesi, who addressed the news conference, accused the Member of Parliament John Abam Aboah Sannie for causing arbitrary arrest and using intimidating tactics to cause fear in the constituents.
The lawmaker has also been accused of using unjustifiable shows of power to put fear in the constituents.
Usually, an individual intimidates others by deterring or coercing them to take an action they do not want to take or preventing them from expressing themselves according to the law.
But, how does this play out in the Mpohor situation as the accusers are coming from the opposition side of the political divide?
The intimidation in Mpohor as observed by the NDC, may become a civil or criminal offense unless the behavior of the MP serves a legitimate purpose
The victims who are his political opponents, are, however, proven that they are in actual fear.
Gad Villas, the NDC Constituency Youth Organizer for Mpohor believes the MP does not deserve any modicum of respect for abusing his powers
CK Amponsah, who is the ICT Director for the party in Mpohor Constituency also expressed shock at the attitude of the MP and called on state authorities to investigate his conduct in the constituency.
Intimidation, as alluded to by the NDC executives, can be proven by words, actions, or other behaviors accumulated, that can cause a reasonable person or group to apprehend fear.
By law, victims or witnesses in cases of intimidation, can bring civil action or criminal action to court to restrain the person who intimidates them.
But, the NDC executives have rather chosen to air their grievances publicly to draw the attention of security agencies and those in charge of the laws of the country.
The courts of Ghana may issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting intimidation or other harassment if it finds a reasonable person or group may believe the threats identified actually exists.
Below is the press statement issued by the party following the press conference
PRESS CONFERENCE
October 15, 2023
For media released
MPOHOR CONSTITUENCY NDC EXPRESSES STRONG DISPLEASURE TOWARDS INTIMIDATION BY THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, HON. JOHN ABAM ABOAH SANNIE:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, we wish to welcome you to this Press Conference and also thank you for responding to our call even under a short notice.
The Mpohor Constituency NDC is appalled by the continuous pattern of intimidation displayed by the sitting Member of Parliament, Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie, towards the constituents, most especially, the opposition NDC members. This recurring behavior, under the guise of protecting his name and by extension, his family members against criticism is an alarming abuse of power and an attempt to stifle dissident voices.
Numerous accounts have come to light, exposing a concerning trend of Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie employing political machinations to suppress constituents who express divergent views. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue and addressing the genuine concerns raised, the MP has resorted to reporting individuals to higher authorities or making veiled threats against their political standing. Such actions not only undermine the principles of democracy but also exhibit a lack of respect for freedom of expression.
Not too long ago, the MP admitted in a live radio interview, visiting the General Overseer of the ICGC, Pastor Mensah Otabil to personally lodge a complaint against the resident Pastor of the Church at Mpohor under the bizarre excuse that the pastor is using his Facebook page to dabble in politics within the constituency. What impudence of an intolerant MP?
As if that was not enough, just last week, the sitting MP travelled the terrible road of Mpohor, the road that is bringing an untold hardship to the constituents for which the MP and his NPP government do not seem to care just to threaten a constituent.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media fraternity, kindly permit us to shed more light on this very issue that has necessitated this press conference coupled with other pressing issues such as the deplorable nature of the Apowa – Mpohor –Banso road
A constituent of Mpohor reacted to tweet which sought to question who the MPs were for the Ahanta West and Mpohor Constituencies because of the deplorable nature of roads within these constituencies and the untold hardship the people are going through
In his reaction, the constituent rightly so, said the MPs daughter has a Foundation that seems to be touching lives elsewhere. Whiles the said Foundation is yet to undertake any known project within the Mpohor Constituency, he was certain when it was time for elections 2024, the MPs daughter, and her other siblings will bus themselves to Mpohor to vote just so they will retain their father as the MP for him to continue to his tyrant leadership.
Isn’t it bizarre and the height of insensitivity to the plight of the suffering masses of the Mpohor constituency for the MP to leave all the numerous economic issues bedeviling his constituents and rather chose to travel that deplorable Mpohor road to threaten the person who reacted to the initial tweet in the company of other party members?
Touching on the issue of the deplorable nature of roads within the Mpohor Constituency, the media will recollect, the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo in one of his campaign tours to Mpohor in 2018, prior to the 2020 general elections cut the sod for the construction of the 16km Apowa Mpohor Banso road and 5 years down the line, you are a witness to the deplorable nature of the road as you travelled to Mpohor for this Press Conference.
The Mpohor Constituency NDC believes that public representatives should be held to the highest standard of accountability and transparency. It is deeply disheartening to witness the misuse of authority for personal gain, rather than working towards the betterment of the communities Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie has sworn to serve.
Furthermore, the intimidation tactics employed by Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie create an atmosphere of fear and discourage constituents from voicing their legitimate grievances. This oppressive behavior fosters an environment where residents hesitate to engage in discussions about critical issues that affect their lives. Such actions undermine the essence of democracy and prevent fruitful democratic dialogue.
Our intolerant MP has become Nana Yenka M’asem. He wants to be treated as a thin god, lording it over everybody within the constituency. It is therefore no surprising, he’s at loggerheads with some elders within his own party, the very people who brought him from nowhere and made sure he became the MP for the Mpohor Constituency.
The Mpohor Constituency NDC however, strongly condemns Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie’s actions and calls for an immediate cessation of the intimidation tactics. We also wish to urge the security authority within the Mpohor District not to create any enabling environment for the intolerable MP to perpetuate his intimidating actions because the MP had no business visiting the parents of the said constituent with his members. What crime did the constituent commit to warrant a threat?
As an opposition party committed to upholding democratic values, we believe in providing a safe and inclusive platform for the voices of all citizens, irrespective of their political beliefs. We stand firmly with the individuals who have been subjected to bullying and intimidation tactics by Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie. Their courage to speak up against such abuses of power must be celebrated, and they deserve our unwavering support.
The constituents of Mpohor deserve a representative who is dedicated to working in the best interests of the people, rather than exploiting their power for personal gain. The actions of Hon. John Abam Aboah Sannie are not reflective of the commitment to public service that their office demands.
The Mpohor Constituency NDC appeals to voters to carefully consider their choices and contribute to the renewal of democratic values by electing representatives who prioritize the well-being of the constituents they serve.
SIGNED:
Daniel Mawuli Kwofie Agbesi
(Constituency Secretary)
Mpohor Constituency NDC
By: Zambaga Rufai Saminu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
