Former Managing News Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has criticised the Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib and the National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Salam Mustapha over what he described as reckless and exaggerated comments about Ghana’s democracy and judicial system.
Speaking to Moro Awudu on Metro Tv’s Good Morning Ghana on May 20, Pratt rejected claims by some opposition figures that Ghana had become a “banana republic”.
“How can you describe Ghana today as a banana republic?” he asked.
“Your views ought to have some grounding.”
The veteran journalist said political commentary must be informed and responsible, especially on matters concerning the judiciary and constitutional rights.
“You just don’t talk by heart when you talk,” he said.
Pratt’s remarks came during discussions surrounding free speech and the detention of Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye.
He defended the constitutional right to free expression but stressed that such freedoms were subject to limitations under the law.
“The right of free expression is not absolute,” he said.
Pratt also criticised attacks on judges by some NPP members, describing them as dangerous for Ghana’s democracy.
“A sitting member of parliament [Jerry Ahmed Shaib] actually goes to the extent of questioning the credentials of a sitting judge,” he said.
“That is an indictment on the whole judicial system.”
He also condemned comments about “weaponising” party youth, warning that such rhetoric could inflame political tensions.
“You are publicly making declarations that you’re going to weaponize your youth,” he said in reference to comments he attributed to Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the NPP.
Pratt further cautioned against attempts to justify alleged abuses by comparing them with actions of previous governments.
“The fact that NPP did it before does not justify it being done today,” he said.
He urged political actors to avoid inflammatory language and instead focus on protecting democratic institutions and constitutional order.
