'Free Wontumi and all political prisoners now; we will hold your feet to account' – Afenyo-Markin to govt

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the government to release what he described as "political prisoners", accusing the administration of President John Dramani Mahama of using state institutions to target political opponents and suppress dissent.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, July 23, the Effutu Member of Parliament alleged that some opposition figures and government critics were facing politically motivated prosecutions.

Mr Afenyo-Markin cited the conviction and one-year prison sentence handed to Camilla Alhassan, whom he described as a young mother of three, insisting that she should be regarded as a political prisoner. He also referred to the recent 20-year prison sentence imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in connection with an illegal mining case.

According to him, the prosecutions reflect what he believes is the government's growing intolerance of criticism and an attempt to weaken the political opposition.

"Dr Ato Forson, tell your government to free all political prisoners. Wontumi deserves justice. Camilla Alhassan deserves justice. The MPs behind me that you have lined them up for persecution, listen, you can decide to imprison every MP, it will not shut us down," he said.

The Minority Leader also cautioned the government against abusing political power, arguing that no administration remains in office indefinitely.

He maintained that the Minority would continue to scrutinise government policies and expenditure and hold the administration accountable despite what he described as efforts to intimidate opposition voices.

"We'll criticise you. We will hold your feet to account and we'll make sure you account for every cedi you spend. But you know what? The good news is that you are on your way to opposition," Mr Afenyo-Markin stated.