The minority leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has refuted claims that he assaulted a police officer during the recent “save the judiciary” rally organized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and allied smaller political factions on Monday May 5.
The Effutu constituency Member of Parliament (MP) vehemently denies that he delivered a heavy slap to the officer as seen in a circulating video on the internet. In a surprising twist, Afenyo-Markin asserts that he was actually the one who was attacked by Constable Forson, and not the other way around.
Dismissing the headline of this newspaper’s issue on Tuesday, May 6, which read “chaos at pro-Torkornoo rally — as Afenyo-Markin slaps policeman,” the legislator labeled it as “unfair,” emphasizing that he would never engage in such behavior towards a security personnel. He proclaimed, “It is not in my nature.”
Expressing the seriousness of the incident which has overshadowed the rally’s purpose of supporting the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, Afenyo-Markin has petitioned the police administration to conduct a thorough investigation.
In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the minority leader urged for disciplinary action to be taken against Constable Forson, describing him as “a tall, fair, and heavily built officer who was stationed at the entrance of Parliament House” during the demonstration
Providing his account of the altercation, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Constable Forson assaulted me at the entrance of Parliament House,” and emphasized the need for clarity in the public discourse. He expressed his reliance on an official statement detailing the incident for the relevant authorities to review and take appropriate action.
Furthermore, the MP recounted that he was forcefully struck on the chest near his heart by Constable Forson when he approached the barricade to present a petition to Parliament. The impact of the hit left him disoriented and in need of assistance from senior police officers and colleagues who quickly intervened to help him regain his composure.
Afenyo-Markin condemned the officer’s deliberate attack and denounced the hasty judgment of the general public, maintaining that his actions were in protest of the aggression directed towards him.
The MP praised the conduct of police officers at other locations during the demonstration but criticized the behavior at Parliament as unprofessional and unwarranted. He emphasized the need for accountability and respect within the Ghana Police Service.
In summary, Afenyo-Markin stands firm in his denial of slapping the police officer and seeks justice for the alleged assault he experienced during the protest.