“I Was Protesting, Not Attacking” – Afenyo-Markin Speaks Out After Police Clash at Judiciary March
Minority Leader denies assault claims, says officer's unprovoked attack during judiciary protest left him dazed and breathless
- Afenyo-Markin alleges he was struck by a police officer while presenting a petition during a peaceful protest
- He claims his reaction was a protest against misconduct, not an act of aggression
- The officer involved allegedly vanished after the incident
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has denounced what he calls an unprovoked assault by a police officer during the “Save the Judiciary” demonstration held at Parliament House on May 5.
In a widely circulated video, Afenyo-Markin appears visibly upset and seen attempting to strike an officer behind a barricade. However, he insists the video doesn’t tell the full story.
In a statement released the same day, the MP recounted being suddenly struck in the chest near his heart by Constable Forson as he approached the barricade to submit a petition. Afenyo-Markin said the unexpected blow left him disoriented, breathless, and visibly shaken.
“Senior officers and my colleagues quickly came to my aid with water and support, allowing me to recover and continue with the presentation,” he stated.
The Minority Leader clarified that his actions were not aggressive but a spontaneous protest against the officer’s conduct, which he claims was already being condemned by other officers on the scene.
“What makes the incident especially troubling is that the officer, despite being rebuked by his own superiors, defiantly dismissed my identity and acted with blatant disregard,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin has vowed to submit a formal complaint to the Inspector-General of Police and questioned the officer’s abrupt disappearance after the altercation—raising concerns over a possible cover-up.
He also accused political opponents of deliberately misrepresenting the incident to distract from the march’s core message.
“Our demonstration was about upholding the Constitution and protecting judicial independence. We won’t allow distractions to undermine that,” he emphasized.
The Ghana Police Service has since invited Afenyo-Markin to assist in ongoing investigations into the incident.
