Why detain someone just to show that you have power? – Minority ask Mahama

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has raised serious concerns about what he calls growing signs of authoritarianism within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), especially among some of its more aggressive members.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during a sit-in protest by the Minority Caucus outside the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Afenyo-Markin strongly criticised what he sees as the illegal detention of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi. Wontumi is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“Some of those hawks in the NDC, they are destroying President Mahama’s image. But they don’t know; they will come to know by the third year. I’m not a prophet. The man has only four years,” he stated.

The Minority Leader made it clear that they are not against holding public officials accountable, but insisted that it must be done in a legal and fair manner.

“We are not against accountability. If someone leaves public office, they must be held accountable. But why detain someone just to show that you have power? Do it lawfully,” he added.

Chairman Wontumi was granted bail of GH₵50 million with two sureties on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. However, his lawyers have not yet been able to meet all the bail requirements, so he remains in custody.

Wontumi is being investigated by EOCO over some financial dealings involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.