The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu constituency, Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has publicly alleged that the legal proceedings against Kwame Baffoe, who is the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, bear stark similarities to the oppression and control characteristic of the PNDC era in Ghana's history. 

 Delivering his address in a press conference held at the NPP Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, Sunday, 17th May, 2026, the Osahen Afenyo-Markin firmly accused the current administration led by President John Dramani Mahama of systematically utilizing the criminal justice system as a tool to intimidate its political adversaries and to stifle voices of dissent that oppose its policies.

He lamented that the arrest, prosecution and remand of Abronye DC represent what he perceives as part of a pervasive and troubling pattern of political persecution aimed specifically at members of the opposition New Patriotic Party. 

The Minority Leader reflected on how the unfolding events related to this case evoke distressing and painful memories of the atrocious incidents that took place during the PNDC military regime, a period noted for the systematic harassment, detention, and torture of journalists, activists, and critics who dared to voice their opinions against the government.

He said during the oppressive regime of late Jerry John Rawlings, a chilling atmosphere reigned wherein journalists, academia, legal professionals, trade unionists, and even ordinary citizens were arrested and detained without due process, subjected to inhumane treatment simply for expressing their thoughts and beliefs.

The notion of a culture of silence was not merely symbolic; it was a stark and tangible reality enforced through the sheer brutality of state power," Afenyo Markin stated emphatically, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

He recounted numerous incidents from Ghana's political landscape, recalling how journalists and newspaper editors were imprisoned under draconian laws pertaining to criminal libel and false publications, which were, at times, ruthlessly employed by those in authority to silence dissent.

Hon Afenyo-Markin cited specific cases involving notable figures such as Tommy Thompson from the Free Press, Veteran Journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Junior, esteemed commentator Kwesi Pratt Junior, and respected lawyer Akoto Ampaw.

He argued fervently that the current prosecution of Abronye DC bears a striking resemblance to those oppressive times marked by significant political repression.

He mentioned the year 1996, editors such as Nana Kofi Coomson of the Ghanaian Chronicle, Ebenezer Quarcoo, and Tommy Thompson from the Free Press were apprehended and charged with the offense of publishing false news with the intent to cause harm to the reputation of the state those exact and chilling words.

This same legislative weaponry is what this current government has now chosen to wield against Abronye DC," he passionately asserted.

Although the Minority Leader acknowledged that Ghana formally repealed the criminal libel law in 2001 during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, he raised alarm over the current administration's alleged attempts to recreate a similar oppressive environment through provisions found in Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act. "Instead of reinstating criminal libel in name, they are cunningly reconstructing it in practice, seeking to achieve through legal loopholes what they are unable to justify in open discourse," he contended.

Hon Afenyo further stated his stance contended that the arrest of Abronye DC, along with other cases involving individuals such as Baba Amando, David Essandoh, Adenta Kumi, and Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, represents a calculated and systematic effort to silence critics of the government, a troubling trend that undermines the very foundation of democracy. These incidents are far from isolated. 

They are merely selected illustrations from an ominously expanding and deeply concerning list," he emphasized.

In conclusion Hon Afenyo said that the he condemned the controversial decision to detain Abronye DC in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations(BNI), arguing that the act of criticizing a judge should not be misconstrued as a matter of national security. 

This situation does not intrinsically pertain to the realm of criminal justice; it is fundamentally a matter of political intimidation, he strongly asserted.

Afenyo Markin issued a stark warning that Ghana is perilously close to a regression into what he referred to as the "culture of silence" if state institutions are allowed to be misused as instruments for targeting political opponents. "The culture of silence does not come with a grand declaration. It does not arrive at your doorstep with an official proclamation. 

Rather, it emerges insidiously, incrementally and strategically," he articulated with grave concern.

In light of these developments, he fervently called for the immediate release of Abronye DC and implored the judiciary, civil society organizations, and the media to actively engage in defending the constitutional freedoms and uphold the principles of democratic governance that are essential for the nation's continued progress.

Sompaonline.com/Bismarck Oppong