Ablekuma Violence Is A Serious Assault On Our Democracy -Afenyo

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has issued a scathing condemnation of what he described as a “coordinated, military-style operation” that marred the parliamentary rerun election in Ablekuma North on July 11, 2025.

Addressing the House on Wednesday, 16th July, he described the violence as a serious assault on Ghana’s democratic order and called for immediate action.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the events in Ablekuma North were not isolated electoral misconducts, but a calculated attempt to undermine the electoral process through intimidation and brutality.

“These events present one of the most dangerous assaults on our democratic order since the return to constitutional rule in 1992,” he said.

VIOLENT INCIDENTS

He detailed a series of violent incidents, including an attack at the St. Peter’s Society Methodist Church Police Station, where thugs stormed the premises using motorbikes and vehicles.

Former Member of Parliament, Hawa Koomson was reportedly assaulted in broad daylight, while the NPP parliamentary candidate, Nana Ekua Afriyie sustained facial injuries. Former MP Dakwoa Newman and other party agents were also attacked.

At the Awoshie DVLA Police Station, individuals dressed in brown uniforms allegedly impersonated security officers and misled voters, until they were confronted and failed to provide any form of identification.

Confrontations between thugs and police at the Asiedu Jetu Memorial School also resulted in chaos and endangered lives.

JOURNALISTS

Journalists were not spared in the wave of violence. A JoyNews reporter and GHOne TV’s Agyekum Banahene were attacked, with the latter reportedly assaulted by a police officer while on duty.

Afenyo-Markin decried the attacks as a threat to press freedom and public accountability.

He further expressed concern about the conduct of the Ghana Police Service, noting that allegations had surfaced against Chief Superintendent Lumor Frederick for facilitating the violence.

“Whether by omission or commission, the police service failed to protect lives and the sanctity of the electoral process,” he stated.

THREE DEMANDS

The Minority Leader issued three demands: a full-scale investigation into the incident, prosecution of all identified perpetrators and an unambiguous condemnation of the violence by the government, including an apology to affected persons such as Deputy National Organiser, Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah, Hawa Koomson and Nana Ekua Afriye.

“To the people of Ablekuma North, do not be cowed into silence. The right to vote is sacred and must never be trampled by fear or force,” he emphasised.

FELIX OFOSU KWAKYE

Reacting to the statement, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, acknowledged the violence, but accused the Minority of double standards.

He argued that previous violent actions involving members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including incidents in Ayawaso West Wuogon and the Kumasi courts were never condemned by the Minority.

“Terrorism is simply the use of violence to achieve political ends,” he said, noting that NPP officials often came to the defense of those responsible for such acts.

While expressing sympathy for Hawa Koomson, he accused her of previously engaging in violent conduct, claiming that she publicly admitted to firing guns during the 2020 elections.

He said members of the NDC had suffered violence allegedly instigated by her, and such actions invited retribution.

Felix Ofosu Kwakye further criticised the NPP for failing to act on previous recommendations of Commissions of Inquiry that implicated its members.

“No sooner did the reports come out than their government issued a white paper that said the acts of terrorism were provoked,” he alleged.

He accused the NPP of endorsing violence in the past and stated that the party had lost the moral right to condemn such acts today.

“Let us have a discussion about sanitising our politics, but let us eschew insincerity and duplicity in the discourse,” he said.

The Minister added that in 2012, then-candidate Akufo-Addo allegedly praised political violence and called for attacks, an action he claimed the NPP later celebrated.

“People with this kind of record cannot possibly pretend today to be opposed to terrorism and acts of violence,” he asserted.

He concluded by calling for fair action against electoral violence, but insisted that hypocrisy and political opportunism must be avoided.

 

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