The spectre of arrests, detention and all the traits which spread fear and panic during the military juntas in this country appear to be looming once more.
Elements of the said juntas are part of the new administration, and so the unfolding arrests and detentions should not be surprising.
Some Ghanaians who endured the arbitrariness of the PNDC/Gondar Barracks ordeals can recall the Col Boogey’s martial music which heralded announcements to report at Burma Camp for questioning.
Today, the method might be different but the fear and panic associated with the junta are being reminisced as the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is being targeted by the new government.
Selective justice as a negative governance feature is palpable in the manner the new regime’s ‘resetting’ agenda is being played out.
Examples abound about how persons, some of them politicians, should have been invited to assist in investigations but who are enjoying their freedoms, their economic crimes against the state wiped clean by the diktat of the President.
A few days ago, a social commentator made very startling remarks about both the President, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Smalls Arms Commission, unfortunately and strangely, he has not been invited for questioning. We are unable to repeat the offensive remarks because of their gravity.
A leading member of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, on the other hand has received invitation to meet operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) over remarks he could have passed during a radio programme.
A former government minister, Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi, has been arrested by the NIB over an alleged skytrain scandal.
The NIB is busy carrying out the orders of the political class, and it hurts to think that what we are witnessing is a blatant abuse of state institutions. It is worthwhile recalling how under the erstwhile government it was decided to change the nomenclature of the then Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) so its unwelcome role could be replaced with its core mandate of intelligence gathering for the benefit of the state.
If only the NIB could widen its net to include officials of the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, and there are of course many, we would not have decided on this subject for today’s leader.
We are tempted to believe that the ‘reset agenda’ is intended to muddy the image of the members of the outgone government by all means, including such high-profile arrests and triggering the accompanying bad press we are witnessing.
The issue of some Members of Parliament (MPs) who received double salaries is still fresh in our memories, especially how these persons were left off the hook by the former President, much to the chagrin of his party rank and file.
If there was a gentlemen’s agreement between the former President and the then opposition to let go prosecution of the double salary beneficiaries so identifiable breaches in future would be glossed over when they come to power, same has not been achieved.
The Saglemi Housing Project and the money which went down the drains refers. A clear case of causing financial loss to the state is apparent in this, yet the principal character cannot be invited by the NIB because selective justice abhors such effrontery.
We do not condone breaches of the law and would rather those who cause financial loss to the state or engage in fraudulent transactions face the law in courts of competent jurisdiction, regardless of who they are.
We fret however, when the target is restricted to those who served in the previous government.