The detention of the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, is a constitutional wrong that must be condemned, according to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the ongoing remand of the outspoken politician raises serious constitutional concerns, describing aspects of the legal process as inconsistent with Ghana’s constitutional safeguards on bail and free expression.
“The general tenure of Act 30, as amended, is one such legislation that is inconsistent with the constitution. The general tenor of Act 96, which deals with the grant of bail gives very clear indication that the court has discretion to grant bail to persons appearing before it in criminal cases upon conditions stated therein. The abstention on granting of bail in section 97 is therefore odd, and an unnecessary interference with the court,” he said.
He added: “What has been done to Abronye DC is a profound constitutional wrong, and must be condemned without equivocation, without delay. The arrest itself, the prosecution and remand of a citizen for words spoken in the public domain is not justice, it is prosecution.”
The Minority Leader further argued that while the NPP does not condone irresponsible speech, Ghana’s legal system already provides civil remedies for reputational harm rather than criminal prosecution for public statements.
“The party does not condone irresponsible speech. We never did, and we never will. But public discourse carries responsibility and we believe deeply in that. Where speech damages a person’s reputation, Ghanaian law provides a civil remedy for it. It has been designed to achieve one aim, which is to allow the person injured to seek relief,” he said.
Abronye DC was remanded for two weeks on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged misinformation and offensive public statements.
He was first arrested on Monday, April 13, as part of investigations into allegations of offensive conduct, false publication, and statements deemed likely to incite fear and panic. He was later granted bail while investigations continued before being rearrested as authorities intensified their probe.
The NPP has since raised concerns over his detention, insisting the process raises constitutional questions.
