Afenyo-Markin Reports President Mahama to UK Government's Rep
- Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has reported the President John Mahama administration to the UK government
- Afenyo-Markin criticised the removal of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo
- He also condemned the harsh bail conditions imposed on opposition members arrested by state security operatives
The Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has reported what he described as the "excesses" of the President John Dramani Mahama-led administration to a representative of the United Kingdom government.
Speaking during a visit by the UK Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman, to the Parliament of Ghana, Afenyo-Markin denounced the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, labelling it a political action rather than a pursuit of accountability.
Source: Facebook
"We in the minority are not satisfied with how the Chief Justice was recently removed. We see it as more politics than truly ensuring accountability," he said.
The Minority Leader, who is the Member of Parliament for Efutu in the Central Region, bemoaned the current regime of bail conditions set by security operatives in the country with respect to the arrest of opposition members.
He noted that it was expected for the new government to investigate the previous administration as part of democratic accountability but emphasised that such investigations should be conducted in a humane manner.
Afenyo-Markin consequently criticised the practice of handcuffing individuals who voluntarily report for investigation and imposing stringent bail conditions.
"Of course, after eight years in office, we expect the new government, coming in with its reset policy, to want to investigate. It's part of the politics and democratic accountability. They must. But we also expect that the law will be applied in a humane way," he said.
While admitting that such excesses had occurred during the reign of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he called for a focus on key governance issues to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
"These are some of the challenges that we believe we can improve upon because, for the past 30 years, it has become clear that both parties have had the chance to govern. I'm a moderate politician. I believe that the excesses where the hardliners take centre stage and dictate the pace when a government comes into office must be a thing of the past," he added.
"I must admit that some of these excesses happened during my time, our time (the NPP's era). Our eight years in office saw some things happen, but we cannot continue with the vicious cycle of 'you do me, I do you.' There are key governance issues that I believe, as a democracy, we can focus on to improve the lives of our people," he concluded.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to Afenyo-Markins complains to UK government
Ghanaians on social media who chanced on the video of the meeting between the leadership of Parliament and the UK Minister for International Development thronged the comment section to share their views.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:
@Tengey Festus said:
"You're worried because you can no longer send your case to the Supreme Court on Friday at noon and get a judgment that same Friday at 3 pm."
@Haison Tetteh also said:
"Why do politicians only become wise and knowledgeable in opposition?"
@NmratiHene Annang Tawiah commented:
"Did he come to this realisation before or after he slapped the police officer?"
@Dotse Godwin also commented:
"So this man thought the international community didn't know what happened over the last 8 years? Very laughable."
Source: Facebook
Retired Supreme Court judge slams NPP
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported earlier that retired Supreme Court judge William Atuguba slammed the NPP over their criticism of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's removal.
He said the party lacked credibility since it previously relied on Article 146 to remove officials like Charlotte Osei and Lauretta Lamptey.
Justice Atuguba dismissed NPP’s claims of political motivation in Gertrude Torkornoo's removal.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
