We will not bow to intimidation by State Forces – Afenyo-Markin warns

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

Addressing the media from the MP’s residence in Spintex Accra where members of the New Patriotic Party and concerned supporters had gathered, Afenyo-Markin described the early morning operation as an unacceptable attack on Ghana’s democratic values and a misuse of state power.

“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, hinting at potential political consequences for such actions.

He stressed that political disagreement should never be criminalized. “In a democracy disagreement is not criminal,” he stated. “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.”

The Minority Leader further called for a more mature approach to governance and political engagement urging the ruling administration to prioritize dialogue and respect for due process.

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

In a strong show of support he assured Rev Fordjour of the party’s solidarity declaring “Reverend is not a loner. He has not walked alone. He will never walk alone.”

The incident has sparked public debate about the role of security agencies in political affairs with many questioning whether the attempted arrest marks a worrying trend in the erosion of democratic norms.