Ghana's Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the government of using state power to intimidate and harass opposition members. He described these actions as a coordinated abuse of power aimed at weakening the Minority's efforts to hold the government accountable. Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin stated that the Minority would not be discouraged by the alleged actions.
According to Mr Afenyo-Markin, the experiences of some Minority MPs showed an attempt to weaken the opposition and discourage its members from speaking out against government actions. He stressed that the caucus remained committed to its constitutional responsibility of scrutinising government policies and defending the interests of Ghanaians. The Minority Leader's comments follow Tuesday's incident in Parliament, where the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, was escorted out of the Chamber by a Parliamentary Marshal.
The incident involved Mr Jinapor refusing to withdraw an allegation against Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority had no problem with lawful accountability, emphasising that all citizens, including opposition politicians, must be subject to the law. However, he warned that State institutions must not be used to force political opponents into submission.
Mr Afenyo-Markin described the alleged actions as a pattern of coordinated autocratic abuse of power intended to exhaust the Minority's resolve and silence their voices. He assured supporters that the caucus would continue to speak out and demand accountability despite the challenges. The Minority Leader's statement comes amid concerns about the use of state power to intimidate opposition members in Ghana.
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation reported that Mr Afenyo-Markin's comments were made at a media briefing on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The Minority Leader's statement has sparked a national debate about the use of state power and the role of the opposition in Ghana's democracy. The issue has raised concerns about the country's democratic credentials and the ability of opposition members to hold the government accountable.
Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasised that the Minority would not be moved or cowed by the alleged actions of the government. He stated that the caucus would continue to perform its constitutional duties, including scrutinising government policies and defending the interests of Ghanaians. The Minority Leader's statement has been seen as a defiant response to the government's alleged attempts to intimidate opposition members.
In conclusion, Mr Afenyo-Markin vowed that the Minority would not be silenced, stating "We shall not be moved. We shall not be cowed. And we surely shall not be silenced." The issue remains a significant challenge to Ghana's democracy, with concerns about the use of state power to intimidate opposition members.
Key points
- The Minority Leader accuses the government of using state power to intimidate opposition members.
- The incident in Parliament involved MP Samuel Abu Jinapor being escorted out of the Chamber.
- The Minority Leader vows that the opposition will not be silenced despite alleged government intimidation.
