Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dr Dominic Ayine and nine other government appointees to prepare for imprisonment under a future New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He asserted that a new NPP government would prosecute and jail key officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), whilst ensuring the release of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison over illegal mining activities.
The Minority Leader made these remarks in response to the mid-year budget review presented to Parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2026, by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
“If you are not careful, Mr Speaker—if you do not stop now—you will end up replacing Wontumi in prison. Wontumi will be released, and you will take his place. So, I am advising you: let us all exercise restraint,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Minority Leader acknowledged the Finance Minister for recognizing the policy reforms introduced by the previous administration.
“We welcome the reforms outlined by the Finance Minister. For the first time, he acted patriotically by acknowledging the digitalization reforms we introduced in government payment systems. Today, he has recognized them. Mr Speaker, we commend him for acknowledging the NPP’s contributions. We commend you, but you can do better,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin then called on the government to release individuals he characterized as political prisoners.
“Tell your government to free all political prisoners. Dr Ato Forson, tell your government to free all political prisoners. Chairman Wontumi deserves justice. Camilla Alhassan deserves justice,” he asserted.
He also condemned what he described as the ongoing victimisation of Opposition Members of Parliament.
“Regarding the MPs behind me whom you have targeted for prosecution—listen, you can decide to imprison every single MP, but it will not silence us. We will criticize you, hold your feet to the fire, and ensure you account for every cedi you spend,” Afenyo-Markin told the House.
He concluded with a final warning to the ruling government:
“You know what? The good news is that you are on your way into opposition. You are on your way into opposition, so you should start reflecting deeply. Those who are currently detained will not remain locked up forever,” he warned.
Critique of the 24-Hour Economy Agenda
The Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, went on to criticize the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, over the government’s GH¢42 million allocation to the “24-hour economy” initiative, arguing that it comes at the direct expense of healthcare facilities and other national priorities.
Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the 2026 Budget, Afenyo-Markin questioned the government’s spending choices.
“The Finance Minister needs to practice what he preaches. You come here and allocate GH¢42 million to a 24-hour market while abandoning the Agenda 111 projects. The hospitals that ought to be your top priority are being ignored,” he argued.
He further accused the government of misdirecting resources meant for local development to fund the project:
“You are spending a whopping sum of GH¢42 million and claiming to have released 80 per cent of it to the district assemblies.”
The Minority Leader described the mid-year review as uninspiring and raised broader concerns over state governance.
“Mr Speaker, this review is completely uninspiring. There is no vision in it. What we are witnessing in this country is pure political victimisation. For the first time, we are seeing political imprisonment—Wontumi is a political prisoner,” he told the House.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
