News:
May 6, 2025
The Minority Leader Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has condemned an attack on his person by a uniformed police officer constable Forson during the “Save The Judiciary Demo” when the demonstrators got to the entrance of Parliament House.
In a statement he noted that a demonstration which he led successfully on Monday, May 5, 2025, with other political parties and one of their stops to present a petition to Parliament House after earlier successful presentation to the Supreme Court and from parliament they were heading to Jubilee House. “Upon arrival at Parliament House, the National Organizer and other party leaders had already been granted access and the deputy Minority Leader Hon Appiagyei and I were then invited by the party’s communication director Richard Ahiagbah to proceed to join them”
He noted that as he approached the barricade without any provocation constable Forson, a heavily built officer deliberately struck his left chest with full force with his right palm, hence he was dazed and visibly shaken and short of breath. At that moment he spontaneously protested his conduct, saying “why do you want to harm me?”
Immediately, the inspector facilitating his access along with other officers, quickly intervened and assisted him into the restricted area, where he had to lean against the wall at the entrance of Parliament House to prevent him from collapsing, he stated.
“National Service Personnel from parliament, who I know, approached and offered me water; two CID officers from Parliament also came to check on me and assisted me to a nearby security rest room”, where he laid down on a bench for stability as the NPP Greater Accra organiser, National organiser and National communications officer stayed by his side to provide support to ensure his well-being.
Again after regaining some composure, he was helped to the washroom to wash his face and he made deliberate effort to calm himself down and rejoin the leadership of the delegation to present the petition as he was determined not to let the incident create a scene to derail the purpose of the peaceful protest.
Meanwhile the Deputy Marshal and a senior police officer of Parliament attempted to locate the police officer involved, but he had mysteriously disappeared from the scene. “It is suspected that he may have been discreetly removed to prevent further attention and avoid scrutiny”.
And had the act of aggression become widely known at that moment, it could have compromised the peaceful character of the entire demonstration the statement noted.
In addition, the officer was cautioned about his aggression but he did not care who the Minority Leader was and indicated that he was carrying out his work regardless.
The Minority Leader has gone ahead to formally file a petition to the Inspector General of Police to demand full investigation into the conduct of the constable as a number of officers witnessed the incident and can corroborate the events.
“The incident is a disgrace to the standards and professionalism expected of those tasked with protecting citizens, as such it must be treated with the contempt it deserves”. And it is evident that elements within the NDC’s propaganda machinery are now weaponizing this incident to deflect attention from the overwhelming success and peaceful conduct of the demonstration. Their aim is clear to distort the narrative and shift focus away from the core constitutional concerns raised by the demonstrators”.
“We must not be distracted from the purpose of the demonstration; we marched to defend the constitution and the independence of the judiciary. The principles that must be protected at all cost and I urge the media and the public to refrain from spreading misleading narratives and rather join in condemning the unprofessional and disrespectful actions of Constable Forson”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com