The Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has accused the government of using state institutions to intimidate critics and silence opposition voices.

Speaking on Bullet TV’s Morning Target show hosted by Bright Amfo, Mr. Ahmed said members of the opposition and some citizens are often invited for questioning shortly after making public comments or statements in Parliament.

According to him, such invitations sometimes come under unclear circumstances, making it difficult for those involved to properly respond. He claimed that this trend discourages accountability and limits free expression.

Mr. Ahmed also alleged that several individuals, including political activists and commentators, have been picked up by security agencies over their views. He cited instances where some were invited late at night and questioned without immediate access to legal support.

While acknowledging that freedom of speech is not absolute, he stressed that laws must be applied fairly and with respect for fundamental human rights. He argued that issues such as defamation should be handled through civil processes rather than arrests or intimidation.

The deputy Chief Whip further questioned the government’s commitment to protecting democratic values, urging leaders to allow criticism and uphold the rule of law.

He also expressed disappointment in what he described as a lack of action on key national issues, including illegal mining, despite earlier promises by government officials.

Mr. Ahmed called for a more transparent and accountable system where citizens and public officials can express their views without fear of harassment.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu

To boost the government’s flagship Feed Ghana Program, the European Union (EU) has sent 150,000 fully vaccinated poultry birds. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) are implementing an intervention, carried out through the EU-funded Food Security Response Project in Northern Ghana, to reduce the nation’s excessive reliance on imported chicken.

The program is expected to serve approximately 15,000 rural households and aid about 3,000 farmers in six districts in the Savannah, Upper East, and North East regions. Along with the birds, farmers are also provided with access to poultry, training, and necessary veterinary medications to produce.

Currently, Ghana imports between $300 million and $400 million worth of poultry each year. By 2029, the government hopes to achieve complete poultry production self-sufficiency under the Feed Ghana Programme.

According to Silvia Severi, Head of Cooperation at the EU Embassy in Ghana, the project demonstrates the EU’s dedication to bolstering the nation’s food and agriculture sectors.

“The EU remains committed. Whether it is through this project, our €132 million EU-Ghana Agriculture Programme, or our broader Team Europe initiatives, we are here to build resilience together,” she stated.

“Our aim is to make poultry more affordable to Ghanaians while providing sustainable income opportunities, especially for rural households,” he noted. “Empowering farmers to produce their own eggs and chicken promotes sustainability and builds resilience,” she said.