Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised strong concerns about what he describes as a troubling trend of selective justice in Ghana’s legal system, questioning the uneven application of the law in politically sensitive cases.
“The Minority Leader questioned the selective application of justice, contrasting it with the lack of police action in politically sensitive incidents. Justice must be seen to be done. Justice cannot be harsh on critics and lenient on those who are closer to power,” he cautioned on the floor of Parliament on October 21.
He expressed dismay over comments made by a High Court judge during the trial of Bono Regional NPP Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC. The judge reportedly referenced George Orwell’s Animal Farm and the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe while delivering judgment, remarks Afenyo-Markin said risk undermining the public’s faith in the judiciary.
“In delivering judgment, the presiding judge cited George Orwell’s Animal Farm, observing that ‘All men are equal, but some are more equal than others,’ and went on to quote the late President Robert Mugabe purportedly saying, ‘I can assure you of freedom of speech, but cannot assure you of freedom after speech,’” Afenyo-Markin recounted.
“These remarks,” he said, “convey an unsettling message that equality before the law and freedom of expression may no longer be treated as fundamental rights but as privileges subject to interpretation and power.”
Afenyo-Markin reminded the House that Ghana’s judiciary has historically been the last line of defence for liberty and must uphold that role with impartiality. “The use of Orwell and supposed quotes from Mugabe to rationalize the restriction of free speech undermines the spirit of our constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to express opinion without fear of reprisal,” he said.
