The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno to investigate and take disciplinary action against a police officer who assaulted him.
He condemned what he decried as an “unprovoked and disgraceful” assault by the uniformed police officer, Constable Forson, during Monday’s “Save the Judiciary” demonstration in Accra by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and three other political parties.
In a formal letter addressed to the IGP, Osahen Afenyo-Markin described the police officer as a tall, fair, and heavily built man who was stationed at the entrance of Parliament House to provide security during the protest.
He called on the IGP to act swiftly stating, “I hereby formally petition your office to investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action against Constable Forson.”
The Minority leader explained that he was leading the group of demonstrators, including leaders from the various political parties, to present a petition to Parliament when the incident occurred.
“Constable Forson assaulted me at the entrance of Parliament House during the demonstration,” he stated.
According to Osahen Afenyo-Markin, the incident occurred in full view of senior officers and colleagues who immediately reprimanded the constable.
Misrepresentation
The Minority Leader who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, noted that the incident has been misrepresented in some quarters, prompting him to issue a public statement to clarify the events.
According to Osahen Afenyo-Markin, the heavily built police officer struck him forcefully on the chest near the heart as he approached a security barricade.
The impact of the blow apparently left the Minority Leader dazed and breathless, requiring assistance from other officers and parliamentary staff.
“I was visibly shaken and short of breath. I had to lean against a wall to prevent myself from collapsing,” Osahen Afenyo-Markin stated.
The Minority Leader said he was subsequently assisted to a nearby security rest area, where he rested and received water and support from party officials and members of Parliament.
“The impact of the hit dazed me and I was visibly shaken and short of breath. In that moment, I spontaneously protested his conduct, asking why he would seek to harm me. The Inspector who was facilitating my access, along with other officers, quickly intervened and assisted me into the restricted area, where I had to lean against the wall at the entrance of Parliament House to prevent myself from collapsing.
“A national service personnel from Parliament, whom I know, approached and offered me water. Two CID officers from Parliament also came to check on me and assisted me to a nearby security rest room, where I lay down on a bench to stabilise,” Osahen Afenyo-Markin recounted.
The Minority leader stressed that despite admonishments, the officer declared, “he didn’t care” who Osahen Afenyo-Markin was and would continue to perform his duties.
The officer, he said, later vanished from the scene and has yet to be identified or held accountable.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin revealed that efforts by senior officers and the Deputy Marshal of Parliament to trace the constable proved futile.
“This assault is a stain on the professionalism of the Ghana Police Service,” he bemoaned.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin contrasted the officer’s actions with the respectful conduct of police officers at other key stops during the protest, including the Supreme Court and the Jubilee House.
He expressed concern over what he noted were attempts by political opponents to twist the narrative for propaganda purposes.
“We must not be distracted from the purpose of the demonstration. We marched to defend the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary, principles that must be protected at all costs,” he emphasized.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin urged the media and public to condemn the alleged misconduct and avoid spreading misinformation about the incident.
