The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has slammed the New Patriotic Party administration for arresting several disabled people who used to collect tolls.
The PWDs were toll collectors who had gone to the Roads Ministry to seek an appointment with the Minister on the matter of unpaid wage arrears. They were detained by police.
According to the NDC’s Communication Director, Kakra Essamuah, “reports that disabled persons whose entire livelihood depended on remuneration in these extremely difficult times could be arrested and detained by peace officers in the Ghana of the twenty-first century are a dark blot on the Akufo-Addo government’s already terribly blackened human rights record.”
“It is even more baffling that the loud-mouthed Minister for Roads, apparently afraid of a meeting with disabled persons, ordered their arrest and detention.”
Mr Essamuah stated that the party, in accordance with its responsibility to hold the government responsible, would keep a careful eye on the situation and demand justice for people whose only offence for their arrest and incarceration was a chance to meet with the Minister to discuss their difficulties.
Read the full statement below
STATEMENT ON THE ARREST BY THE POLICE OF DISABLED TOLL BOOTH COLLECTORS AT THE MINISTRY OF ROADS
The National Democratic Congress has learnt with utter shock and disbelief the arrest of some members of a group of disabled people who, until the arbitrary closure of all road tollbooths in Ghana by the government, were the personnel collecting tolls, and who had gone to the Ministry to seek an audience with the Minister on the issue of the payment of their unpaid salary arrears.
As our people say, if you have no money for your in-laws, you do not go further to insult them, thus adding salt to injury.
Reports that disabled persons, whose entire livelihood depended on the remuneration in these extremely difficult times could be arrested and detained by peace officers in the Ghana of the 21st century are a dark blot on the already terribly blackened human rights record of the Akufo-Addo government.
It is even more baffling that the loudmouthed Minister for Roads, apparently afraid of a meeting with disabled persons, ordered their arrest and detention.
We will, in accordance with our mandate to hold the government accountable, be watching closely and be demanding justice for those whose only crime for their arrest and detention, is an opportunity to engage with the Minister for the resolution of their problems.
ISSUED IN ACCRA THIS 15TH NOVEMBER, 2023
KAKRA ESSAMUAH
Communication Director NDC
