“I hereby formally petition your office to investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action against Constable Forson, a tall, fair, and heavily built officer who was stationed at the entrance of Parliament House to provide security during today’s “Save the Judiciary” demonstration”, was the opening paragraph of a petition signed by Minority Leader, Osahen Afenyo-Markin on Monday May 5, 2025 and addressed to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Afeny-Markin has explained that whereas he was the victim of assault during the said incident, there are reports on social media to suggest that he was rather the culprit.
The Minority Leader insists there are both police and civilian eye witnesses who saw him being assaulted by the said Constable Forson.
Afenyo-Markin told Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday evening, a day after the incident of assault that he is ready to waive his privileges as a Member of Parliament regarding police invitations and volunteer to show up at the Police Headquarters today, Wednesday May 7, 2025 to assist in investigating the matter.
Afenyo-Markin said he has personally tried to reach the IGP on phone but after seven different attempts his calls were neither picked up nor returned. He therefore made a public call, via radio, on the Police Service to get in touch with him via phone to let him know which office or officer he should report to when he gets to the Police Headquarters.
The Minority Leader’s comments were in response to a press statement put out by the Ghana Police Service that the Service needed him for investigation purposes and that a letter had been had written to the Speaker of Parliament in that regard.
Hours after the incident at the entrance of Parliament House on Monday May 5, Afenyo-Markin put out a blow-by-blow narrative:
RE: INCIDENT AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE DURING THE
“SAVE THE JUDICIARY” DEMONSTRATION
I write to strongly condemn the reprehensible and disgraceful act of violence perpetrated against me by a uniformed police officer, Constable Forson, at the entrance of Parliament House during today’s peaceful and highly successful “Save the Judiciary” demonstration.
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.
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.
As I 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. The Inspector who was facilitating my access, along with other officers, quickly intervened and assisted me into the restricted area, where I had to lean against the wall at the entrance of Parliament House to prevent myself from collapsing. A national service personnel from Parliament, whom I know, approached and offered me water. Two CID officers from Parliament also came to check on me and assisted me to a nearby security rest room, where I lay down on a bench to stabilize.
Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, Mr. Henry Nana Boakye, and the NPP Greater Accra Regional Organiser stayed by my side throughout, providing support and ensuring my well-being. After regaining some composure, I was helped to the washroom to wash my face and, though still unwell, I made a deliberate effort to compose myself, calm myself down and rejoin the leadership of the delegation to present the petition, determined not to let the incident create a scene or derail the purpose of our peaceful protest.
Following the presentation of the petition, Senior Police Officers and the Deputy Marshal of Parliament attempted to locate the officer involved, but he had mysteriously disappeared from the scene. It is suspected that he may have been discreetly removed to prevent further attention and avoid scrutiny. Had this act of aggression become widely known in that moment, it could have compromised the peaceful character of the entire demonstration.
What makes this assault particularly egregious is that the officer was being openly reprimanded by his superiors and fellow officers at the time, who cautioned him against his conduct. Yet, he defiantly responded that he didn’t care who I was – Leader or not – and that he would carry out his work regardless. It was a deliberate, reckless, and targeted attack by an officer who clearly knew my identity and chose to physically assault me in broad daylight, in the full view of his senior colleagues.
It is therefore most unfortunate that some individuals would seek to twist the narrative and suggest that I was the aggressor when I was merely protesting the officer’s conduct.
This unprovoked, disrespectful, and shameful attack is a stain on the professionalism of the Ghana Police Service. Throughout the demonstration, the conduct of officers at the Supreme Court and the Jubilee House was commendable – professional and respectful. Some were even seen sharing water for demonstrators, a testament to the discipline and decorum expected of public officers.
What occurred at Parliament was an embarrassing and dangerous departure from this standard, and it is unacceptable.
Accordingly, I am formally filing a petition to the Inspector-General of Police to demand a full investigation into the conduct of Constable Forson. There were numerous senior police officers who witnessed the appalling conduct of the Constable firsthand and can corroborate the events.
I have always respected and worked cordially with the Ghana Police Service and hold our law enforcement institutions in the highest regard. This incident is a disgrace to the standards and professionalism expected of those tasked with protecting citizens, as such, it must be treated with the contempt it deserves.
It is evident that elements within the NDC’s propaganda machinery are now weaponising this incident to deflect attention from the overwhelming success and peaceful conduct of our demonstration. Their aim is clear: to distort the narrative and shift focus away from the core constitutional concerns we raised.
We must not be distracted from the purpose of the demonstration. We marched to defend the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary – principles that must be protected at all costs.
In light of these facts, I urge all media outlets and the general public to refrain from spreading misleading narratives, and to join me in condemning the unprofessional and disrespectful actions of Constable Forson.
-End-
Signed
Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin
