The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Lamtiig A. Apanga, has criticised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, saying he is gradually losing public respect following his recent attack on a Circuit Court judge after the remand of the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Tuesday, May 19, Apanga argued that the Minority Leader, who is also a lawyer with decades of experience, ought to uphold higher standards in public discourse, especially given his position and influence.
He expressed concern that Afenyo-Markin’s comments about the judiciary were inappropriate and fell below the expectations of a senior legal practitioner and political leader.
“Someone like the Minority Leader is not an ordinary lawyer or citizen. We have high expectations of him because of his position. He has practised law for more than 20 years and leads the NPP in Parliament. Young lawyers and ordinary citizens look up to him,” he said.
He described Afenyo-Markin’s attack on the judge as most unfortunate, warning that such conduct risks eroding the respect he has built over the years.
“He went so low, and I think he is slowly losing his respect if he does not hold it,” he stated.
He added that the attack on the judge and other recent public remarks by the Minority Leader are part of efforts to maintain relevance within the party and align with the current leadership.
“I understand he is having a challenge to remain relevant in the NPP, especially after supporting Kennedy Agyapong in the primaries. He is now struggling to catch the endorsement of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to remain Minority Leader,” he added.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during a press conference on Sunday, May 17, criticised the judge over the continued remand of Abronye DC and stated that he would continue to disrespect the judge until he “upholds the law.”
The Minority Leader also questioned the competence of the judge and challenged him to cite him for contempt.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned Afenyo-Markin’s comments, describing them as unprofessional and unethical.
