Govt is arresting NPP members to distract Ghanaians from their ‘incompetence’ — Osahen Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of using the prosecution and alleged persecution of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to divert public attention from what he describes as the government’s “incompetence.”

Speaking on Atinka TV’s Ghana Nie morning show, Mr Afenyo-Markin alleged that the government resorts to prosecuting opposition figures whenever it comes under political pressure.

“It is a strategy, so the moment they see they are under pressure, they go and catch an NPP member, and bring up bail terms and court issues,” he said.

He cited the case involving former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as an example of what he described as the government’s strategy to distract the public.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said he had studied the judgment in Mr Bosiako’s case several times and questioned claims that the former NPP regional chairman had personally engaged in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

“Do you know that the charge sheet and judgment itself doesn't say Wontumi has been involved in galamsey?” he quizzed.

He also questioned why Mr Bosiako had been publicly associated with illegal mining, particularly in light of comments by NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia accusing the NPP of defending Mr Bosiako despite his imprisonment over galamsey.

“That was his propaganda,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.

The Minority Leader further questioned why the two individuals who allegedly carried out the illegal mining activities on Mr Bosiako’s concession had not faced similar consequences.

He wondered whether the former NPP chairman was being targeted as part of an attempt to settle political scores with a prominent figure.

“If that's the case, then use the power you have to do it. That way, people will recognise maybe he misspoke during the campaign season. But to jail him for 20 years is unpalatable.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin declined to clarify whether his reference to comments made during the campaign season was connected to Mr Bosiako’s recent apology to President John Dramani Mahama.

He maintained that the government should focus on addressing the concerns facing the country rather than using prosecutions of opposition figures to shift public attention from its performance.