‘Democracy under attack’: Afenyo-Markin accuses government of 'selective justice'
Ghana's opposition says investigations targeting some of its members amount to political intimidation, while urging the government to uphold the rule of law and democratic freedoms.
The leader of Ghana's parliamentary opposition has accused the government of using state institutions to target political opponents, telling protesters that the country must end what he described as a cycle of "selective justice" and political retaliation.
Speaking during the opposition New Patriotic Party's (NPP) "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration in Accra on Thursday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said his party supported accountability but opposed what he called the unequal application of the law.
"We are not against accountability, but we are against selective justice," he told supporters.
Mr Afenyo-Markin alleged that some Members of Parliament had been invited for questioning by investigative agencies after making contributions on the floor of Parliament, arguing that criticism of the government should not result in intimidation.
He did not provide specific examples during his address.
The Minority Leader also referred to concerns previously raised in Parliament by senior politicians over the treatment of suspects in state custody, saying such issues should concern all Ghanaians regardless of political affiliation.
He urged political leaders to abandon what he called the "you do me, I do you" approach to governance, arguing that successive governments should resist using state institutions against their predecessors or political rivals.
"As a country, we must end this vicious cycle of 'you do me, I do you,'" he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said his position was based on a long-held belief that politics should be conducted with "decency" and mutual respect, rather than retaliation.
He also called on politicians to focus on tackling poverty and underdevelopment instead of deepening political divisions.
"If you leave Accra and go deep into the hinterlands, you see the serious underdevelopment in our country. That should occupy our minds as political leaders," he said.
The Minority Leader warned that continued allegations of political persecution could deepen partisan tensions and make it harder for moderate voices to prevail in future.
He said the demonstration was intended as a call to protect democratic principles, fairness and the rule of law rather than an attack on the country.
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has previously rejected accusations that it is using state institutions to persecute political opponents, insisting that investigations involving former public officials and politicians are being conducted independently and in accordance with the law.