Stop harassing opposition MPs for simply holding different views — Minority Leader

Minority in Parliament has accused the government of deliberately harassing members of the opposition, describing the alleged conduct as a threat to Ghana’s democracy.

According to the caucus, Members of Parliament and other members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been targeted for expressing dissenting views, with the state allegedly using its investigative and prosecutorial powers against them.

Speaking during his closing remarks at the end of the second meeting of the second session of the Ninth Parliament on Friday, July 31, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed concern over what he described as a growing pattern of political intimidation.

“We say to the NDC government: stop the harassment of the opposition,” he said.

He argued that state institutions should not be used against political opponents, warning that such actions undermine democratic governance.

“Members of the New Patriotic Party, including Minority MPs, have been maliciously targeted and harassed simply for holding different views through the use of the investigative and prosecutorial powers of the state,” Afenyo-Markin alleged.

“We say, without apology, that this is both dangerous and wrong. A government that fears its critics has already told us something horrifying about itself.”

The Minority Leader further claimed that the alleged actions were creating “a culture of silence” in the country.

He also raised concerns about what he described as a series of questionable judicial decisions in recent times, alleging that they suggested unequal treatment under the law.

“We also place on record a shocking string of doubtful judicial decisions that have emerged in recent times. Taken together, they appear to suggest that there is one set of justice for the friends and cronies of this government and another, altogether harsher, set for its opponents,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin stressed that Ghana’s democracy depends on the ability of the opposition to freely express its views.

“Ghana is bigger than any one party, and our democracy only works if the opposition can speak,” he added.