Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the government of abusing the rights of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, through what he described as politically-motivated charges.

Speaking to the media at the Accra Circuit Court on Friday, where Abronye was due to appear, Mr Afenyo-Markin stated that the use of the courts to pursue what he called “petty misdemeanours” was a clear case of human rights abuse.

“His rights are being abused using the court as a channel,” he said, stressing that charges such as publishing fake news with intent to cause fear and panic or offensive conduct likely to breach the peace do not warrant detention.

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“These are not serious matters. I mean, this shouldn’t lead to somebody being put in a black maria.”

The Minority Leader argued that Ghana’s democracy cannot thrive under a culture of political retaliation.

“The time has come for political leaders to end the ‘I do you, you do me’ approach,” he said. “Democracy cannot be sustained, protected in this manner. Ghana must make progress.”

He further accused the government of selective justice, claiming that threats from National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials against his life and other NPP leaders have gone unpunished.

“A national officer of the NDC threatened my life and other senior members of the party openly, yet the IGP has not even arrested him. A communication officer in Akwatia also repeated such threats, but he has not been touched,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin cautioned the ruling party against what he described as political arrogance, warning that power is fleeting.

“Our friends in the NDC should watch this. Power is like an ice block; when it’s given to you, it starts to melt from the very day,” he added.

Meanwhile, Abronye is expected to reappear before the Accra Circuit Court 9 on Friday, September 12.