Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has assured members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the detention of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) will not weaken the party’s resolve.
According to Mr Afenyo-Markin, the challenges confronting the party and its members should instead strengthen their commitment to the NPP and its political ideals.
He made the remarks while speaking about the Baffour Awuah detention, following the legislator’s arrest and subsequent questioning by EOCO in connection with an ongoing investigation.
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Nana Baffour Awuah surrendered himself to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, after the anti-corruption agency obtained a warrant for his arrest.
The investigation centres on a GH¢2.2 million payment made to the MP’s former law firm for legal services in a matter involving SIC Life.
Speaking about the situation, Afenyo-Markin said the development should not discourage the Manhyia South MP or other members of the party.
“This will not break us. Look, the four bearers who brought this party into being suffered more than you. So therefore, don’t give up,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Minority Leader expressed concern about what he described as a growing situation in which political actors could become hesitant to scrutinise government actions because of fear of being targeted.
“Sometimes, as a leader, you have colleagues who are supposed to interrogate matters, scrutinise, and they are afraid,” he said.
He urged NPP members to remain committed to the party and work together to strengthen its structures ahead of the 2028 general election.
Afenyo-Markin’s comments come amid heightened political debate over the arrest and detention of the Manhyia South MP.
The Minority Leader criticised what he described as a recurring practice in Ghanaian politics where governments pursue members of the opposition after assuming office.
He said the country needed to move away from what he called a “vicious cycle” in which a new government focuses on finding fault with political opponents.
“We must bring an end to this vicious cycle of a political party coming into office and its first focus is to attack opponents, find fault, find excuses,” he said.
He called for fairness in the application of state power and stressed that political differences should not undermine Ghana’s democratic institutions.
“We are all in this system together. We are all in this together as one big family,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Baffour Awuah detention comes as EOCO continues its investigation into the GH¢2.2 million payment involving the MP’s former law firm.
EOCO has said it is working with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring the legislator before a weekend court, citing constitutional timeframes and procedural requirements governing bail.
The agency has also denied reports that it granted Nana Baffour Awuah GH¢50 million bail.
The Manhyia South MP’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, had earlier indicated that his client could spend the night at EOCO while questioning continued.
As the legal process unfolds, Afenyo-Markin says the situation will not undermine the NPP’s commitment to its political objectives.