Source Ghanamediatrend
Politics Ghana
During the #SaveTheJudiciary demonstration, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin was compelled to retaliate after being struck by a police officer, according to Bright Ofori Ampofo, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro.
A viral video depicted how the protest of Afenyo-Markin in a heated exchange with officers behind a barricade prompted public debate over his conduct. However, Ampofo insists the lawmaker was provoked.
Ampofo recounted the events leading up to the altercation on Monday, May 5, on Channel One's Newsroom: "This police officer charged, bowed, made a fist, and hit him [Afenyo-Markin] on the heart [chest] just as we were about to cross the barricade," he said.
According to him, the blow was so forceful that Afenyo-Markin almost collapsed. “The honourable member almost passed out. We had to take him to the building at Parliament’s entrance to give him some water to drink. That delayed the presentation of the petition for about 30 minutes for him to relax a bit,” he explained.
He also disclosed that the Minority Leader had to take a break before the event could proceed due to a complaint of dizziness.
Ampofo went on to say, "He was very angry with us because he stated we didn't provide him enough security."
Ampofo questioned the political affiliation of the officer and suggested that the incident might have been allegiance. He is surely an NDC police officer. He questioned why someone would attack a well-known figure like the honorable Afenyo-Markin on Parliament's property, which is his own house.
Ampofo questioned the political deliberation of the officer and suggested that the incident might have been allegiance. He is surely an NDC police officer. He questioned why someone would attack a well-known figure like the honorable Afenyo-Markin on Parliament's property, which is his own house.
Ampofo emphasized that Afenyo-Markin reacted in self-defense. "He was defending himself." He was trying to defend himself because he thought that the blow was going to occur again, and we took him away," he added.
