Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the government to release all persons he describes as “political prisoners,” accusing the John Dramani Mahama-led administration of using state institutions to intimidate political opponents and critics.
He made the call while contributing to the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in Parliament on Thursday, July 23.
According to the Effutu legislator, some opposition members and government critics are being targeted through prosecutions in what he described as an attempt to suppress dissent and weaken political opposition.
Afenyo-Markin cited the case of Camilla Alhassan, whom he described as a young mother of three and a political prisoner following her conviction and one-year sentence.
He also referenced the 20-year prison sentence handed to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in a galamsey-related case.
The Minority Leader argued that the cases demonstrate what he called the government’s intolerance towards criticism and an attempt to create a political environment where only one side is heard.
“Dr Ato Forson, tell your government to free all political prisoners. Wontumi deserves justice. Camilla Alhassan deserves justice. The MPs behind me that you have lined them up for persecution, listen, you can decide to imprison every MP, it will not shut us down,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin further cautioned the government to exercise restraint, stressing that political power is not permanent and can change hands.
He said the NPP would continue to scrutinise government actions and demand accountability despite what he described as attempts to silence opposition voices.
“We’ll criticise you. We will hold your feet to account and we’ll make sure you account for every cedi you spend. But you know what? The good news is that you are on your way to opposition,” he said.
