Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of using the prosecution and alleged persecution of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to divert attention from what he described as the government’s “incompetence”.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s “Ghana Nie” morning show, he said this strategy is deployed whenever the government comes under pressure.

“It is a strategy, so the moment they see they are under pressure, they go and catch an NPP member, and bring up bail terms and court issues,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin cited the imprisonment of former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly called “Chairman Wontumi”, saying the case was used as a distraction.

He intimated that he had read Wontumi’s judgment three times and questioned the basis for the claims that the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman had been involved in illegal mining.

“Do you know that the charge sheet and judgment itself doesn't say Wontumi has been involved in galamsey?” he quizzed.

He questioned why the public had been told that Mr Bosiako was involved in galamsey and referred to comments by NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, accusing the NPP of supporting Mr Bosiako despite his imprisonment over galamsey.

“That was his propaganda,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also questioned why the two individuals who undertook the illegal mining on Mr Bosiako’s concession had not suffered the same fate.

He wondered whether Mr Bosiako was being persecuted as part of an attempt to settle scores with a powerful person.

“If that's the case, then use the power you have to do it. That way, people will recognise maybe he misspoke during the campaign season. But to jail him for 20 years is unpalatable.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin declined to say whether he was referring to Mr Bosiako’s recent apology to President John Mahama for comments he made against him during the campaign season.