Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the government of using investigations by state agencies to intimidate and silence New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs.
He claims some of his colleagues are now afraid to speak forcefully in Parliament for fear of being invited by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI).
Speaking on Joy News’ The Probe, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the alleged intimidation has become one of the challenges facing the Minority.
“The other challenge, really, is that, unfortunately, this government has made intimidation part of its strategy of silencing the minority,” the Effutu MP said.
He declined to name the MPs involved but said several have raised concerns with the Minority leadership.
According to him, some of the MPs are being investigated over allegations he considers insufficient to warrant the attention of investigative agencies.
He said the concerns have reached the point where MPs sometimes hesitate to contribute to parliamentary proceedings.
“There are times that a colleague would have to speak, and he will boldly tell you that, Leader, if I make any submission today, the BNI guys will call me,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said he was speaking based on information received from members of his leadership team.
He cited an incident involving an MP who was expected to make a statement in Parliament but became concerned about a possible BNI invitation.
He recalled the MP telling him, “Leader, meka sa seisei ara na woahu sɛ BNI yafrɛ me sɛ I should report tomorrow.”
“It’s not once, several,” Mr Afenyo-Markin added.
He insisted that the Minority is not opposed to accountability and that former public officials should be subjected to investigations where necessary.
His concern, he said, is about what he considers excessive use of investigative processes against political opponents.
“I am dealing with the excesses thereto. You see, you can enforce the law with a human face without unnecessarily intimidating the person,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also rejected suggestions that his criticism amounts to a threat against the government.
He said he is warning about the precedent such conduct could create when political power changes hands.
“I am not the person who supports this you do me, I do you politics,” he said.
He urged the government to focus on delivering on its promises and addressing the country’s economic challenges rather than targeting the opposition.
“I believe that governments that are elected can focus on their mandate of tackling the challenges in our economy,” he said.
“And in tackling, you don’t make your opponents a target.”
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