Afenyo-Markin Speaks, Addresses Scuffle with Police Officer at 'Save the Judiciary' Demonstration

• MP for Efuttu and Minority leader, Alex Afenyo-Markin, has explained the events that led to him hitting a police officer at the Save the Judiciary demonstration
• In a statement, he noted that his action was a response to an earlier violent act perpetrated against him by the police officer
• Netizens who saw his explanation expressed mixed reactions in the comments section, as some supported his claim while others criticised him
• In an exclusive interview with Yen.com.gh, a security analyst addressed the Member of Parliament's move at the protest

Minority Leader, Alex Afenyo-Markin, has responded to footage and claims of an assault on a police officer.

In a long statement sighted by Yen.com.gh, the legislator dismissed reports of him abusing a police officer at the Save the Judiciary demonstration.

He explained that the actions in the video was only a reflex reaction to an assault by the police officer.

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During the demonstration held on Monday, May 5, 2025, the legislator was captured in a video engaging in a confrontation with the officer in uniform.

Mr Afenyo-Markin got physical and threw a heavy punch at the officer. The MP faced heavy backlash after the video went viral.

Following the criticism, he’s released a statement explaining the events that led to his action.

"As the Leader of the demonstration, I led the protesters, together with the leadership of the other political parties, to Parliament, one of the designated stops on our route, to formally present our petition. Earlier, we had delivered copies to the Supreme Court, and from Parliament, we were to proceed to the Jubilee House," he said.

"Upon our arrival at Parliament House, the National Organiser and other party leaders had already been granted access. The Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, and I were then invited by the party's Communications Director, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, to proceed and join them."

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He added that as he approached the barricade, without any provocation, a uniformed police officer stationed behind the barricade - Constable Forson, a tall, fair, heavily built officer—deliberately struck the left side of my chest with the full force of his right palm, directly near my heart.

"The impact of the hit dazed me and I was visibly shaken and short of breath. In that moment, I spontaneously protested his conduct, asking why he would seek to harm me,".

Mr Afenyo-Markin claims some officers came to his aid, but the young officer insisted he was only doing his job.

See the post below:

Afenyo-Markin's move was a mere show-off

Speaking exclusively to Yen.com.gh, a security analyst, Mohammed Tagna, gave insights into the Member of Parliament's move at the protest.

"So if you're a member of parliament and you feel like a police officer was disrespecting you at that moment, there are various channels or avenues which you have to follow.

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"To seek redress, I mean, that would serve as a good example for your constraints and the and Ghanians, but for you to also exchange blows or the cuffs, with the police officer, that's, erodes the respect for the police and also at that moment the police are also, entitled to use lethal force to defend them. Self-defence, yes, I mean, yes, you can defend yourself, but at that moment, that was not self-defence. It was just a matter of ego and ‘machoism.’"

Netizens react to Afenyo-Markin's statement

Netizens who saw the post about the legislator expressed mixed reactions in the comments section. Many were displeased with his remarks.

@_nursingguy wrote:

"Maybe not writing these concocted sentences woulda saved the situation. Did he really say “dazed”? What video footages did we watch then? Or we missed some? Let’s wait for what comes out of his police invitation."

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@MaameEsiGold wrote:

"This man can lie. He was dazed and short of breath yet we never saw him struggle to breath, but rather fiercely striking the officer? Eeeiii looks like you need to be a liar to be a Leader in the NPP."

@madison_ben5 wrote:

"Can he provide evidence of his allegations after the entire world saw him hit the Police man in the heard? All the videos available shows no one touched him. If he claims to be struck in the chest, he must ask his NPP friends because in Ghana today, the only Party whose members."

Koka confronts police officers at protest

Earlier, Yen.com.gh reported that popular entertainment pundit Koka attended the SaveTheJudiciary demonstration held in Accra on Monday, May 5, 2025.

The renowned entertainment commentator nearly lost his cool at the event after a confrontation with some police officials.

Netizens who saw the video of Koka at the event were divided and expressed mixed reactions in the comments section.

Source: YEN.com.gh