Afenyo-Markin, another Tarzan?
Today, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader, is behaving like a Tarzan. In his commentary on the administration of justice in Ghana, he speaks as if there are no laws governing speech in Ghana.
In November 1994, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby ignored the law and launched Radio Eye without a permit. Government officials stormed the station, seized its equipment and shut it down. During a parliamentary discussion, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, the Minister of Information at the time, criticized Dr Brobby, comparing him to Tarzan, accusing him of disobeying the laws of Ghana.
Fast forward to today, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, appears to be behaving similarly in his approach to the administration of justice in Ghana. When addressing the laws governing speech in the country, Afenyo-Markin acts as if there are no rules governing it. However, it's important to note that criticism is protected under our 1992 Constitution; it's merely an opinion.
Yet, the line between criticism and personal insults can be thin, and Afenyo-Markin's recent remarks against judges who have ruled against the NPP party and former Chief Justice Torkornoo seem to cross that line, potentially implicating their integrity.
On May 17, Afenyo-Markin staged a press conference to discuss a judge's decision to remand Abronye DC in custody. He declared that he could not respect "a judge who does not uphold the law," a statement that offended even the Ghana Bar Association. The GBA accused Afenyo-Markin of violating professional ethics by questioning the judge's competence and qualifications in public, warning that such actions are unpalatable and unbecoming of a senior lawyer.
Now, Afenyo-Markin has taken on the Chief Justice of Ghana, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. In a recent appearance on Atinka TV, Afenyo-Markin accused Baffoe-Bonnie, the CJ, of being part of a "grand conspiracy" that led to the removal of Justice Torkornoo. He further attacked Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, who chaired the committee that investigated petitions leading to Torkornoo's removal.
Afenyo-Markin claimed that if there are three petitions against the CJ, it should follow that one petition would suffice to remove the CJ. However, this logic is flawed, as one petition is not necessarily sufficient to remove a judge, regardless of the number of petitions filed.
The Minority Leader's behavior has raised concerns about the rule of law in Ghana. With the implication that those in power may influence judicial decisions based on their allegiance to the ruling party, it's crucial to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and ensure that justice is administered fairly and impartially, regardless of political affiliations.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
