Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has cautioned against what he describes as the use of state institutions to settle political scores, arguing that Ghana’s democracy is threatened when justice is applied selectively.

Addressing supporters at the “Democracy Under Attack” protest on Thursday, August 6, the Effutu MP said the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) supports accountability but will continue to challenge what he considers an unfair and politically motivated application of the law.

“We are not against accountability, but we are against selective justice,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned why some lawmakers who make statements during parliamentary proceedings later become subjects of investigations by state agencies, arguing that such actions could undermine the independence and privileges of Parliament.

He cited concerns over the treatment of some suspects in custody, noting that former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has raised issues on the floor of Parliament regarding alleged unlawful detention conditions. He also referenced comments by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak on similar concerns.

The Minority Leader insisted that criticism of government policies and actions is a fundamental part of democratic governance and should not be interpreted as hostility or grounds for intimidation.

He called on political actors to move away from a cycle of retaliation, warning that the practice of “an eye for an eye” politics could weaken Ghana’s democratic foundations.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said his concerns extend beyond the current experiences of members of his party, stressing that his advocacy is rooted in a belief that political disagreements must be handled with civility and respect.

According to him, Ghana’s political leadership should focus more on addressing challenges facing citizens, particularly those in deprived communities, rather than engaging in partisan battles.

“When you travel beyond Accra into the hinterlands, you see the level of underdevelopment. That should be the priority of political leaders,” he said.

He further warned that continued perceptions of political persecution could deepen divisions within the political space and make it harder for moderate voices to promote restraint among party supporters in the future.

“For me, if this continues, it will become difficult for moderates in the NPP to calm the nerves of those who may feel pushed to the extreme when the party returns to power. Is that the kind of country we want? No,” he said.

The Minority Leader concluded that the demonstration was not an attack on Ghana’s democratic system but a demand for fairness, justice and the protection of democratic values.