Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has urged Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to tell his government to free NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and other political prisoners.
The Minority leader made this call while contributing to the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in Parliament.
According to Afenyo-Markin, opposition members and government critics are being targeted through prosecutions in an attempt to suppress dissent and weaken political opposition.
He cited the case of Camilla Alhassan, whom he described as a young mother of three and a political prisoner following a one-year sentence and also referenced the 20-year prison sentence handed to Chairman Wontumi in a galamsey-related case.
Afenyo-Markin stated, “Dr Ato Forson, tell your government to free all political prisoners. Wontumi deserves justice. Camilla Alhassan deserves justice. The MPs behind me that you have lined them up for persecution, listen, you can decide to imprison every MP; it will not shut us down”.
“We’ll criticise you. We will hold your feet to account, and we’ll make sure you account for every cedi you spend. But you know what? The good news is that you are on your way to opposition,” he said.
Also, Alexander Afenyo-Markin issued a stern warning to the Attorney General following the 20-year prison sentence handed to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will lose power in the 2028 general elections, and the Attorney General will find himself in opposition and could end up in jail if he does not stop the political persecution of NPP members.
The minority leader argued that an NPP government would not hesitate to prosecute and jail the Attorney General if the party returns to power.
Afenyo-Markin stated, “Let me serve a warning to the Attorney General that the ravening clouds shall not long be victorious. They shall not long possess the sky. Be careful. In 2028, you’ll be in opposition”.
“If you are not careful, if you don’t stop now, you will go and meet Wontumi there, and he will be out. But you will go in. So I am advising you now: let’s all be measured,” he said.
He further added, “We welcome the reforms by the Finance Minister, and for the first time, he has done something patriotic by acknowledging the digitalisation reforms we introduced in government payments. Today, he has acknowledged them.
“We commend you for acknowledging the NPP. We commend you, but you can do better. Tell your government to free all political prisoners. Wontumi deserves justice,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NPP has said Chairman Wontumi has been convicted in circumstances where there was no evidence to support the offence for which he was convicted.
Wontumi described Chairman Wontumi as a “political prisoner” who has been politically targeted by the John Mahama-led NDC government.
The NPP, addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, July 20, addressed by the General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, announced plans to mount a legal and political challenge against his conviction.
Speaking to the press, Justin Frimpong Kodua stated, “We address you today with profound disappointment, but also with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the pursuit of justice”.
“While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed. Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to disagree with judicial decisions and to seek redress through the appellate process. That is precisely what we intend to do.”
“It is our considered view that Chairman Wontumi has been convicted in circumstances where there was no evidence at all to support a conviction in respect of the offence for which he has been convicted,” Mr Kodua stated.
“It was never disputed that Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired his mineral concession. That fact was established and accepted before the court.”
“The prosecution could not produce any evidence to show that Wontumi had assigned his mineral right.”
“That is why we firmly believe that this conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal,” Mr Kodua said.
@ghnow_ Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency and Minority Leader, has arrived in Parliament ahead of the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review. Stay with GHNow for live updates and key highlights from the House. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “From poor management to superior management under John Mahama and Ato Forson” — Hon. Haruna Iddrisu at the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
