Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has taken a strong swipe at the current government, accusing it of becoming increasingly intolerant of political dissent.
His remarks come in the wake of the controversial arrests of New Patriotic Party (NPP) activists, including Adenta youth organizer Alfred Kumi Ababio and the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Addressing journalists outside the premises of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), where party supporters had gathered to protest the continued detention of Kumi Ababio, Afenyo-Markin described the recent incidents as deliberate attempts to intimidate opposition voices under the guise of national security operations.
He lamented what he sees as a double standard in the political landscape, pointing out that members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were able to criticize the Akufo-Addo administration freely without fear of state retaliation—something he believes is not being reciprocated now that the NDC is in power.
“The NDC criticized the previous government without intimidation, but now that they are in power, they appear unable to tolerate the same level of scrutiny,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin argued that such actions threaten Ghana’s democratic credentials and the rights of citizens to engage in free political expression. His concerns have been echoed by members of the NPP, who view the arrests as politically motivated.
The detentions that sparked his comments include that of Alfred Kumi Ababio, who remains in custody but has reportedly been granted access to legal representation.
According to Afenyo-Markin, National Security has indicated that investigations are ongoing, and the next steps will be determined in due course.
In a related development, Chairman Wontumi’s residence was stormed by over 20 officials from the National Intelligence Bureau. The NPP stalwart has since accused authorities of harassment, revealing that the agents arrived without a warrant.
Wontumi, who received a prior invitation from the CID, has suggested that his bid for national chairmanship within the NPP may be the reason for the state’s pressure.
These incidents, according to Afenyo-Markin, represent a broader pattern of political intolerance that should concern all citizens, regardless of party affiliation.