'Mahama will not sack appointees based on NPP’s claims' – Shamima Muslim

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has insisted that the government will not dismiss or compel public officials to resign based solely on allegations made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stressing that any disciplinary action must be preceded by a thorough investigation.

She said the Mahama administration would not accept claims made by the opposition as established facts or use them as grounds for sanctioning individuals accused of misconduct.

Muslim made the remarks while responding to the NPP’s demands following allegations raised during its Yɛgye yɛ sika demonstrations.

“I have taken a personal stance not to make any further commentary on it until after the processes that have been initiated to establish exactly what the concerns are are determined,” she said.

She argued that allegations of criminal conduct could only be established through proper investigative procedures and not public discussions.

“My brother, between you, me and Abanga, we cannot make a determination of any criminal activity or any criminal breach until the matter is fully investigated,” she said.

The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson consequently declined to comment on the substance of the allegations, saying she would wait for the outcome of the processes initiated to establish the facts.

She, however, assured the public that the government remained committed to accountability and would not protect any official found culpable of wrongdoing.

Citing the NDC's manifesto, she said accountability, alongside job creation and prosperity, formed part of the party's three main policy pillars.

“President Mahama, in his Resetting Ghana manifesto, popularly acclaimed that no one under his government will be shielded if the person is found to have engaged in any wrongdoing,” she said.

Muslim also referenced the government's code of conduct, which outlines various forms of misconduct and the sanctions applicable when breaches are established.

She rejected the NPP's demand for immediate resignations and dismissals, including its threat to initiate a motion of censure if the government failed to comply.

“We are not going to take the claims of the New Patriotic Party as sacrosanct and proceed, therefore, to ask members of government to either resign or be sacked,” she said.

She further defended the government's handling of the opposition's demonstrations and petition presentations, contrasting it with what she described as the NPP's record when it was in office.

According to her, the opposition had been received respectfully whenever it visited to present petitions and had been allowed to demonstrate without police brutality or attempts to disrupt its activities.

“On each occasion, they have been welcomed with dignity, with respect, with the honour that they, as members of an opposition and key players in our democracy, deserve,” she said.