Accra: New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has defended Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, for publicly criticising a Circuit Court judge over a recent ruling. According to Gabby Otchere-Darko in a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, leadership demands courage, especially when issues of human rights and freedom of speech are involved.
According to Ghana Web, Otchere-Darko emphasized that leadership requires courage, and timidity is not an option in a democracy. He highlighted the importance of defending the dignity of the legal system and protecting citizens' rights, which should not be left to timid leaders. Otchere-Darko expressed admiration for Afenyo-Markin for confronting the judge over what he described as excessive enthusiasm in approving imprisonment related to free speech issues.
Otchere-Darko argued that this matter should not be reduced to political rivalry between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as the implications extend beyond partisan politics. He noted that many young people actively express their opinions on social media, and any attempt to silence them could threaten Ghana's democracy. He warned that restrictions on free expression could eventually affect every Ghanaian, regardless of political affiliation.
Furthermore, Otchere-Darko maintained that the law must still deal firmly with those who break it but without undermining constitutional rights and due process. He concluded by stating that justice must be done and seen to be manifestly done.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Effutu, has faced criticism over comments indicating that he would continue to disregard the judge handling the Abronye case at Circuit Court 9. The lawmaker accused the judge of misapplying the law following the remand of the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, over alleged offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace and the publication of false statements against a judge.