BY Issah Olegor
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has issued a stern warning to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over what he describes as the unfair and politically motivated treatment of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking shortly after an Accra Circuit Court remanded Abronye for one week, Afenyo-Markin criticized the charges brought against the outspoken NPP executive, arguing that they were minor and did not justify the decision to keep him in custody.
Charges Against Abronye
According to the Minority Leader, the charges of “publishing false news with intent to cause fear and panic” and “offensive conduct conducive to breach of the peace” are misdemeanors under Ghanaian law.
He stressed that these were not serious criminal offences that should warrant placing an accused person in a Black Maria and remanding him.
“These are mere misdemeanours,” he argued. “They should not lead to the humiliation and detention of a political figure who has made himself available for police interrogation.”
Allegations of Double Standards
Afenyo-Markin went further to accuse the police of bias in their handling of cases involving political actors.
He recalled that in recent months, senior officials of the NDC had openly threatened the lives of NPP leaders, including himself, the National Organizer, and the Chief Whip of the party, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
Despite petitions to the police, no arrests were made in those instances.
“A national officer of the NDC threatened my life, threatened the lives of other party leaders, yet nothing was done. A communication officer of the NDC also repeated such threats, but he too has not been arrested. This is the Ghana we are seeing today—one law for the NDC, and another law for the NPP,” he lamented.
Warning to the NDC
The Minority Leader cautioned the NDC against abusing power, reminding them that political power is not permanent.
In a metaphor, he likened power to an ice block that starts melting from the very day it is given.
“Our friends in the NDC should watch it. Power is transient. If mistakes were made in the past by our government, which we admit was not perfect, it does not mean the same mistakes should be repeated. Where are we heading as a country if this continues?” he queried.
Concerns Over Governance and Judiciary
Afenyo-Markin also raised concerns about recent developments in the judiciary, citing the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as an example of political excesses.
He suggested that the removal process had been rushed, undermining the principles of due process.
He further criticized what he described as the deliberate frustration of individuals under investigation by state agencies such as the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO). According to him, detainees are sometimes held under difficult bail conditions that make it nearly impossible for them to secure their release.
Appeal to the Police
The Minority Leader urged the IGP and the Ghana Police Service to exercise professionalism in handling politically sensitive cases.
He warned that the current trend risks fueling extremism and hardline positions in Ghana’s political space.
“We are all Ghanaians,” he said. “The police must rise above partisan considerations and demonstrate fairness. The government must stop these excesses. Otherwise, it will become increasingly difficult to restrain the extremists in our politics.”
