Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin has delivered a sharp critique of what he describes as an emerging culture of political bitterness and targeted prosecutions in Ghana’s governance, cautioning that such developments could endanger the future stability of the nation.
Speaking in Parliament during the House’s closing session, Hon. Afenyo-Markin pointed to recent corruption-related prosecutions and “onerous” bail conditions as signs of a deepening politicisation of justice.
“As a country, if we don’t find space to end bitterness and revenge, it will continue. Today it is the NDC in office, but the NDC will not be in power forever. If something happened yesterday, it is time for us to end it”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader
The Minority Leader’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding the continued detention of Paul Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), who has failed to meet bail conditions set by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Adom-Otchere, charged in relation to a revenue assurance contract allegedly awarded without full board approval, reportedly told investigators he owns no landed property, making it impossible to meet the bail requirement of two landed properties in his name.
“Mr. Speaker, today, we see EOCO granting bail with onerous conditions. Suspects are being demanded to provide title documents, valued title documents, and it is done such that the person will remain days in custody”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader
Adom-Otchere’s lawyer, Nicholas Lenin Anane Agyei, has also weighed in, accusing the OSP of politically motivated prosecution.
“Paul Adom-Otchere has been one of the vocal critics of the Special Prosecutor. And throughout the time of his criticism, he has consistently maintained there are schemes and attempts to more or less silence and punish him”
Nicholas Lenin Anane Agyei, Lawyer
Citing the incident as an example, Hon. Afenyo-Markin cautioned that if ruling parties allow hardliners or “hawks” to shape prosecutorial and governance approaches, the opposition in future may respond with its own reprisals.
In his final appeal, he described this trajectory as dangerous and unsustainable and called for a reset in political conduct and governance values.
“It is time to end the bitterness, the revenge, and the pain. We are a country of one people. If the hawks will continue to dictate to governance, so be it – but we live to see”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader
Parliament Ends Session
While political tensions simmered, Parliament concluded the second meeting of the first session of the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic on a productive legislative note.
A total of eight bills were passed, and 497 questions were admitted – out of which 297 were fully answered.
In a closing address delivered by First Deputy Speaker Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, on behalf of Speaker Alban Bagbin, Parliament was praised for sustaining its oversight responsibilities amid national and political pressures.
“The House has demonstrated deep commitment to ensuring accountability, transparency, and responsiveness from the executive”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, First Deputy Speaker
During the session, thirteen bills were laid before the House. Among them, eight were passed, one reached the consideration stage, two are currently at the committee level, and two were rescinded.
The passed bills included: Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025; Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Social Protection Bill, 2025; University for Development Studies Bill, 2025; Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025; Energy Sector Levies (Amendment No. 2) Bill, 2025 and Road Maintenance Trust Fund Bill, 2025.
The Social Protection and Fisheries Bills were initially withdrawn but returned to the floor in revised forms and were successfully passed.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill remains at the consideration stage, while the Ghana Deposits Protection (Amendment) Bill and Security and Intelligence Bill have been referred to respective committees for further examination.
Parliament is scheduled to reconvene later this year for the third meeting of the session.
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