Afenyo-Markin Critiques NDC’s First Year Performance, Navigates NPP Unity and Parliamentary Accountability

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has issued a comprehensive critique of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, asserting that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has failed to deliver tangible results after one year in office. During a recent interview on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin questioned the absence of significant development projects and highlighted the plight of unpaid contractors, many of whom have defaulted on bank loans used to fund public works. He argued that the government’s reliance on positive macroeconomic indicators is disconnected from the daily realities of Ghanaians, emphasizing that statistics remain meaningless if they do not translate into improved living conditions and better livelihoods for the populace.

Beyond performance critiques, the Minority Leader addressed the internal dynamics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following its recent presidential primaries. He commended the newly elected flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his post-primary unity drive and his calls for reconciliation during a National Thanksgiving Service. Afenyo-Markin urged party members to move past internal divisions and focus on collective progress ahead of the 2028 general elections. This sentiment was echoed in a strategic meeting between the Minority Caucus and executives of the Tertiary Education Confederacy (TESCON), where student leaders were encouraged to understand the party's centre-right legacy and mobilize at the grassroots level.

In a candid reflection on his personal and political ties, Afenyo-Markin also clarified his relationship with former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong. He revealed that Agyapong once provided him with a $5 million investment for his business based solely on trust and friendship, without a formal agreement. Addressing speculation regarding Agyapong’s overwhelming victory in the Effutu constituency during the NPP primaries, the Minority Leader dismissed claims of his personal influence, instead attributing the result to Agyapong’s years of community support and local initiatives. He further announced plans to establish an ICT facility named in honor of Agyapong to celebrate their long-standing bond.

Within the chamber, Afenyo-Markin emphasized a philosophy of "balanced opposition," aiming to hold the government accountable without obstructing parliamentary business. He lauded his whip team—Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Habib Iddrisu, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib—as the essential backbone of the caucus's effectiveness. However, this commitment to oversight has involved sharp demands for accountability, including calls for the resignation of Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah over policy failures related to a controversial lithium mining agreement. Afenyo-Markin insisted that the Minority’s stance is rooted in ministerial responsibility and the need to restore public trust in the management of Ghana’s mineral resources.

Looking toward future policy debates, the Minority Leader characterized the government’s proposed "24-Hour Economy" as a campaign slogan rather than a robust policy, criticizing the creation of a new bureaucracy through the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill. Along with other members like Bekwai MP Ralph Poku Adusei, he warned that such structures might lead to a waste of public resources and conflicts of interest. As the administration enters its second year, the Minority Caucus remains focused on rigorous scrutiny of the cocoa sector, taxation, and economic management, setting the stage for a highly contested political environment leading into the next election cycle.