Former Local Government Minister, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo says the ministers who were signing a petition for host and panelists of Accra based Montie FM to be freed were portraying "the beauty of democracy".
Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokroko’, the National Democratic Congress’ Director of Elections said the ministers have the right to demand the release of the trio if they are disgruntled by the sentence.
Since the Supreme Court sentenced the Montie trio to a four month prison term, there has been a foul cry among members of the governing NDC.
Although the three – Alistair Nelson, Ako Gunn, Salifu Maase have been roundly condemned for threatening to kill judges of the Supreme Court, some members of the NDC believe the four month sentence is rather harsh.
Aside the signing of the petition demanding that the president releases the convicts, some sympathizers of the trio have also held a vigil in solidarity with them.
The three convicts have themselves signed the petition for their release.

In all these, pictures circulating on social media with some ministers of state signing the petition seem to be the last straw for critics who are against the petition.
The ministers include Gender Minister, Nana Oye Lithur; Education Minister, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang; Deputy Education Minister in charge of tertiary, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Deputy Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Fosu among others.
Many have condemned them, especially the gender minister, but Mr Ofosu Ampofo sees nothing wrong with them signing the petition.
He believes that regardless of the positions they hold in office, the ministers should not be prevented from demonstrating their displeasure with the ruling.
“You may not agree with Nana Oye Lithur or Prof, Opoku Agyemang but we are in a democratic world. They feel the four month sentence is harsh so they are petitioning for pardon, what is wrong about it.”
“What they are doing is within the ambit of the constitution”, he stressed.
He indicated that although he does not support the reckless comments the three made, the ministers are pleading because they are Ghanaians and “our children”.
He believes that the processes being followed are constitutional and the president, he hopes, will exercise the judgement judiciously working in accordance with the law
“Once the president has sworn an oath to defend and protect the constitution of Ghana, I believe he will exercise that judgement in a way that will satisfy the constitution and the petitioners.”
Source: myjoyonline
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