Fordjour's arrest: Respect democracy, stop the intimidation – Afenyo-Markin to gov’t

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has rebuked government following an attempted arrest of Assin South Member of Parliament, Rev Ntim Fordjour, by operatives of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB).

Speaking at the MP’s Spintex residence in Accra, where members of the New Patriotic Party and sympathisers had gathered in solidarity, the Minority Leader described the operation as a troubling departure from democratic principles.

“We’ve been in this exercise for years. What we experienced this morning shouldn’t be part of the government’s legacy. Four years may seem far, but it’s nearer than it appears,” he cautioned.

Afenyo-Markin emphasized that democracy thrives on dialogue, not intimidation. “In a democracy, disagreement is not criminal.

“If the government disagrees with views expressed, it can respond. You don’t send armed men to arrest a sitting Member of Parliament. We don’t need that. If you disagree, you disagree — let’s engage. Enough is enough. Stop it. Let’s engage. We are political actors.”

He assured the government that the opposition is open to cooperation, provided engagements are conducted respectfully and within the bounds of democratic order.

“We want to assure the government that we will cooperate if they approach things in a decent manner, but we will not be intimidated,” he said firmly.

In a show of unity and support, he reaffirmed the party’s backing of Rev Fordjour, saying, “Reverend is not a loner. He has not walked alone. He will never walk alone.”