Afenyo-Markin speaks on alleged BNI fears among NPP MPs
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says some NPP MPs are becoming increasingly cautious in Parliament because they fear being invited by the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI).
According to the Effutu MP, some lawmakers have confided in the Minority leadership that investigations by state agencies are making them think twice before speaking strongly on issues involving the government.
Speaking on Joy News’ The Probe on Sunday, August 23 2026, Afenyo-Markin described the situation as one of the major challenges confronting the Minority.
“The other challenge, really, is that, unfortunately, this government has made intimidation part of its strategy of silencing the Minority,” the Effutu MP said.
Govt is arresting NPP members to distract Ghanaians from their ‘incompetence’ - Afenyo-Markin
Although he declined to name the MPs involved, Afenyo-Markin said the concerns had been raised to the leadership on several occasions.
He claimed some of the investigations involved allegations that, in his view, do not justify the level of attention being given to them by state investigative agencies.
The Minority Leader said the situation was beginning to affect how some MPs approached their work on the floor of Parliament.
“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.
He recalled one particular instance in which an MP who was expected to make a statement in Parliament became worried about a possible invitation from the BNI.
The MP, he said, told him: “Leader, meka sa seisei ara nu woahunu sɛ BNI afrɛ me sɛ I should report tomorrow.”
“It’s not once, several,” Afenyo-Markin added.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that the Minority was not against investigations or accountability, particularly where there were genuine concerns involving former public officials.
His objection, he explained, was to what he considered the excessive use of investigative agencies in dealing with political opponents.
“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.
The Minority Leader also dismissed suggestions that his comments amounted to a warning that the NPP would retaliate if it returned to power.
“I am not the person who supports this; you do me, I do you politics,” he said.
Instead, he urged the government to concentrate on the mandate given to it by Ghanaians, particularly the country'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,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin's comments come amid heightened political exchanges between the governing NDC and the NPP Minority, with investigations involving former government officials becoming a recurring point of contention.
For him, the issue is not whether state institutions should investigate wrongdoing, but whether such powers are being exercised in a manner that leaves opposition lawmakers afraid to speak freely in Parliament.
NA/VPO
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