Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the government of using investigations to intimidate and silence the opposition.

Speaking on Joy News’ The Probe on Sunday, he said some NPP MPs are being investigated over what he considers mere allegations.

“The other challenge, really, is that, unfortunately, this government has made intimidation part of its strategy of silencing the minority,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin declined to identify the MPs involved but said the situation was worrying.

“A couple of my colleagues are being investigated for things that, in my view, are mere allegations that are not supposed to take their time to those investigative agencies,” he said.

He said some MPs now fear that speaking forcefully in Parliament could lead to them being summoned by the BNI.

“There are times that a colleague would have to speak, and he will boldly tell you that, Leader, if I make any submission today, the BNI guys will call me,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin said he had received such complaints from MPs and had raised concerns with senior government officials.

“I lead my side. My colleagues come to me. Some go to the whips,” he said.

“I’ve had cause to complain to some of the senior members of government that, Colleagues, watch some of these things,” he added.

He cited an incident involving an MP who was expected to make a statement in Parliament but allegedly backed out after learning he had been asked to report to the BNI.

“Leader, meka sa seisei ara na woahu sɛ BNI yafrɛ me sɛ I should report tomorrow,” he quoted the MP as saying.

Afenyo-Markin said he was concerned about what he described as the excesses of accountability efforts.

“I am dealing with the excesses thereto. You see, you can enforce the law with a human face without unnecessarily intimidating the person,” he said.

He stressed that the NPP was not opposed to accountability.

“For the umpteenth time, I repeat that our party is not against accountability. As for post-regime accountability, it’s there for everybody,” he said.

The Minority Leader also accused the government of using investigations into the opposition to divert attention from its own governance challenges.

“To divert attention, you think that having a go at the opposition is what will give you credibility,” he said.

“So the strategy of this government is to tag NPP with corruption, silence the opposition by coming up with all manner of investigations in the name of accountability,” he added.

Afenyo-Markin warned that the approach could create a cycle of political retaliation.

“I am not the person who supports this you do me, I do you politics,” he said.

He said governments should instead focus on their mandate and Ghana’s economic challenges.

“I believe that governments that are elected can focus on their mandate of tackling the challenges in our economy,” he said.

“And in tackling, you don’t make your opponents a target,” Afenyo-Markin added.