Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has accused a uniformed police officer of physically assaulting him at the entrance of Parliament House during Monday’s “Save the Judiciary” protest.
The Effutu MP described the act as “reprehensible and disgraceful.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin, who led the demonstration with other opposition leaders, recounted how the officer, identified as Constable Forson, struck him deliberately on the left side of his chest, near his heart, as he tried to access Parliament to present a petition.
“Without any provocation, a uniformed police officer stationed behind the barricade—Constable Forson, a tall, fair, heavily built officer—deliberately struck the left side of my chest with the full force of his right palm,” he revealed in a formal statement.
“The impact of the hit dazed me. I was visibly shaken and short of breath.”
The incident, which occurred just as Afenyo-Markin was joining other party officials already granted access, nearly incapacitated him.
“I had to lean against the wall at the entrance of Parliament House to prevent myself from collapsing,” he stated.
“A national service personnel brought me water, and two CID officers assisted me to a nearby restroom, where I lay on a bench to stabilise.”
Despite his condition, the Effutu MP insisted on continuing with the day’s mission.
“Though still unwell, I made a deliberate effort to compose myself… determined not to let the incident create a scene or derail the purpose of our peaceful protest.”
According to Afenyo-Markin, attempts by Parliament’s Deputy Marshal and senior police officers to locate the officer afterwards failed.
“He had mysteriously disappeared from the scene. It is suspected he may have been discreetly removed to avoid scrutiny,” he said.
He noted that the officer’s actions were not only aggressive but defiant, even in the face of reprimands from his superiors.
“He responded that he didn’t care who I was—Leader or not—and that he would carry out his work regardless.”
The lawmaker expressed outrage at suggestions from critics that he had provoked the incident.
“It is most unfortunate that some individuals would seek to twist the narrative and suggest that I was the aggressor. I was merely protesting the officer’s conduct.”
While praising the professionalism of officers at the Supreme Court and Jubilee House, who he said even shared water with demonstrators, Afenyo-Markin described the conduct at Parliament as “an embarrassing and dangerous departure” from the expected standards.
He has filed a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, calling for a full investigation.
“There were numerous senior police officers who witnessed the appalling conduct… and can corroborate the events.”
He further accused political actors, particularly within the governing NDC, of trying to distort the incident.
“Elements within the NDC’s propaganda machinery are now weaponising this incident to deflect attention from the overwhelming success and peaceful conduct of our demonstration.” He ended with a call to the public and media: “We must not be distracted. We marched to defend the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary — principles that must be protected at all costs.”
