The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has described the arrest and detention of the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, as a “constitutional disgrace.”
Addressing a press briefing at the party’s headquarters, Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticised what he described as the treatment meted out to Abronye following his arrest.
According to the Minority Leader, although the NPP does not support unguarded public comments by its members, the circumstances surrounding the charges against Abronye do not justify the manner in which he was allegedly treated.
He argued that criticism of the conduct of a public official should not be interpreted as a constitutional offence warranting intimidation or harsh treatment.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further maintained that Abronye’s comments regarding the conduct of a judge did not amount to a constitutional breach deserving of the actions taken against him.
He also stressed the need to protect democratic freedoms and ensure that state institutions act within the confines of the law when dealing with political actors and matters of public expression.
