Outgoing Majority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns about alleged acts of intimidation and threats by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials.
Addressing the media in a press conference, he accused the NDC of undermining democracy by targeting party officials who they perceive as threats.
He alleged that the NDC is using intimidation tactics to silence candidates and destroy evidence.
“In Ablekuma North, for instance, the parliamentary candidate there is under siege. Yesterday, she had a sleepless night. All manner of persons were at her residence in search of pink sheets. The question is, why is the NDC so interested in destroying evidence?”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin outgoing Majority Leader
According to Afenyo-Markin, the situation escalated when the NDC allegedly attempted to seize and burn pink sheets, which are critical electoral documents.
“This woman, Madam Nana Ekua Afriyie, had to run for her life. It took the timely intervention of the police to protect her and to drive these NDC polygons away.
“Okaikwei Central, my respected colleague, Honorable Patrick Boamah, is unable to sleep in his house because they are threatening him, thinking that he has a pink sheet at his residence. His constituency chairman is being looked for, and his constituency secretary cannot sleep at home—all because they believe that these individuals have pink sheets.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin outgoing Majority Leader
Afenyo-Markin expressed disapproval for what some members of parliament and party officials of the NPP are currently going through in the country. He questioned; “Why should a member of parliament fear for his life? All because he’s participating in democracy?”
He described the actions of the NDC as a betrayal of the democratic values they claim to uphold.
“I would want to call on His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to stop his people, to speak to his party people. This is not democracy. This is not the democracy we’ve all worked hard for.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin outgoing Majority Leader
He criticized what he termed as the NDC’s hypocrisy, claiming that they once championed democracy but are now undermining it.
Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC of fabricating stories to incite their supporters against NPP members.
“In my own constituency, for instance, they have now come out with a lie—and unfortunately, some media personnel are following such lies—to the extent that a certain NDC constituency vice-chairman cannot be found. It’s a lie. They are using that to incite their party foot soldiers to attack NPP members, including my very self.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin outgoing Majority Leader
He further accused the NDC leadership of tacitly encouraging such behavior. He lamented;
“Today, the NDC leadership pretends that what their party foot soldiers are doing is being done on their blind side. But they are indeed encouraging it.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin outgoing Majority Leader
A Plea to Civil Society
The Majority Leader finally called on civil society organizations to intervene and hold the NDC accountable for the alleged actions of their members.
Afenyo-Markin’s remarks underscore the tensions between Ghana’s two major political parties, the NDC and the NPP, in the lead-up to the elections.
His allegations paint a picture of a political climate marked by fear, intimidation, and threats against party officials.
By calling on John Dramani Mahama and civil society organizations, he emphasized the need for collective action to preserve Ghana’s democratic values.
Through his address to the media, Afenyo-Markin reinforced his belief in the importance of protecting the democratic process, urging stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral environment.
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