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Presidential staffer Kojo Adu Asare has chastised pressure group OCUPPY GHANA for delving into issues selectively based on their parochial political interest and not principles.

To him, the group behaves as though they are a repository of knowledge and only their opinions matter. Mr Adu-Asare, who was contributing to discussions on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, cautioned the group against stifling people’s freedom to express a divergent opinion on national issues.

“I have serious issues with this so called OCCUPY GHANA people who pick and choose what they want to talk about not based on principles but convenience. Why do they speak on issues only when it serves their parochial interest? If somebody thinks that the sentence that has been handed down to a culprit is harsh and for that the constitution should be invoked to remit the sentence which is within the confines of the law, what is their problem? I have serious issues with their thinking that it is only their view that matter. They must know that we are Ghanaians and equally have the right to express an opinion on matters of national concern. They want to be all knowing, which a bad thing to do is,” he said.

The former Adenta MP was reacting to a statement issued by the OCUPPY GHANA asking that the president reproach ministers and members of his executive who have signed the Montie three petition.

Some Ministers and bigwigs in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have signed the petition book which seeks to solicit for signatories to be presented to the president for a presidential pardon for the trio.

But OccupyGhana, following the sentencing of the two panelists and host of Accra based Montie FM, said a four month prison sentence is not punishment enough for the offense they committed. In a statement the group said ‘We respectfully urge the President to disregard this façade, and rebuke any minister or member of his executive who has signed or signs that petition.

This power of prerogative of Mercy is not to be exercised upon a whim or a fancy or upon contrived circumstances, but only exceptionally, where the situation really and truly deserves it. Critically, this power should not be exercised in a way that represents a fundamental undermining of the independence of the judiciary and an interference with their functions, as well as an attack on the constitutional concept of separation of powers” the statement added.

But Mr Adu Asare said the conduct of the group smacks of ‘hypocrisy and double standards’ and expressed shock at their conduct.

He argues the action of the group is to whip up negative public sentiment against the government appointees because of their decision to sign a petition for a presidential pardon for the Montie 3

“Those attacking Ministers for signing the Montie 3 petition should know that we in the NDC are not stupid; we have brains and ruling this country [because] Ghanaians voted for us,” he fumed.

The former Member of Parliament for Adenta maintained that, the Montie 3 serving their prison term deserve pardon thus President Mahama will exercise his powers to ensure justice is served.

Alistair Nelson, Godwin Ako Gunn and Salifu Maase are serving a four-month sentence in Nsawam prison after making contemptuous comments on Supreme Court judges hearing an electoral roll case. The attacks included threats to kill the judges and rape the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood.