Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has vowed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will intensify its scrutiny of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, declaring that the opposition will not be cowed by arrests, intimidation or what he described as attempts to silence government critics.
Addressing the NPP’s National Delegates Conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the party would defend democratic freedoms, demand accountability and rebuild itself for the 2028 general election.
“We must live with one purpose to win back the trust of the people, defend our democracy with all the vigour, hold the government accountable and push it without fear of arrest or intimidation to deliver on the promises it made to the Ghanaian people,” he said.
The Minority Leader accused the Mahama administration of becoming increasingly intolerant of criticism, alleging that some opposition figures and government critics had been subjected to arrests and detention.
He cited Chairman Wontumi, Kwame Asare-Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, Dennis Miracle Aboagye, Camilla Alhassan, Baba Armando and Salomey Awity among individuals whose cases he referenced in making his argument.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also raised the case involving Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who was recently pursued by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with an investigation.
He maintained that the NPP would continue to challenge the government through lawful and democratic means despite what he characterised as political intimidation.
“We assure you all that we will defend our freedoms, insist on equal justice and pursue accountability through lawful democratic means,” he said.
“We, the mighty Minority, shall never be intimidated in Parliament. We will fight for you today, tomorrow, until we get victory 2028. We ask for one law for all.”
Afenyo-Markin Takes Aim at Mahama’s Economic Record
The Effutu MP also launched a broad attack on the government’s economic record, accusing the Mahama administration of taking credit for improvements he said were rooted in policies inherited from the previous NPP government.
According to him, improvements in inflation, interest rates, the cedi and other macroeconomic indicators could not be attributed entirely to new policies introduced by the current administration.
“They have not introduced anything new. They inherited an IMF programme and only saw it through to the end. Low inflation, low interest rates, stable cedi and wonderful macroeconomic statistics they boast of were all inherited,” he claimed.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also criticised the government’s handling of illegal mining, electricity tariffs, flooding, school placement, road safety and drug trafficking.
On illegal mining, he argued that the galamsey problem had worsened despite commitments by the NDC to address the menace.
He further alleged that the implementation of the domestic gold purchase programme had resulted in losses exceeding $1.7 billion, a figure he attributed to the International Monetary Fund.
The claim was made by Mr Afenyo-Markin during his political address and was not independently established in the speech.
The Minority Leader also accused the government of failing to deliver on some of its major campaign promises.
“No 24-hour economy. No one-job-free shifts. High electricity tariffs. They sell gold and make losses,” he said.
‘We Shall Never Be Intimidated’
Mr Afenyo-Markin insisted that the Minority in Parliament would continue to challenge the government and demand accountability irrespective of political pressure.
He accused the administration of attempting to create fear among its critics but said the opposition would not retreat from its constitutional role.
His remarks echoed a central theme of his address—that the NPP must combine its internal rebuilding process with vigorous parliamentary and political opposition to the Mahama administration.
NPP Eyes 2028 Comeback
Turning to the NPP’s internal reorganisation, Mr Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the impact of the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election and urged members to turn the setback into an opportunity to rebuild.
“After our painful defeat in 2024, some of you carried that wound home. You fought it at the market, in your church, in your mosque,” he said.
He said the party had spent its period in opposition reflecting on its record, identifying mistakes and rebuilding its structures ahead of another attempt at power in 2028.
Mr Afenyo-Markin urged candidates in the national executive elections to accept the outcome and avoid allowing individual ambitions to undermine party unity.
“When the ballots are counted and applause fades, nobody must leave this venue believing that personal defeat today is a defeat for either themselves or the NPP,” he said.
He called on party members to rally behind NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and intensify efforts to reconnect with voters across the country.
“Over the last 18 months in opposition, we have drawn encouragement from the many things we did right and recognised where we need to do significantly better,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the party’s path back to government would depend on unity, stronger grassroots organisation and its ability to regain the confidence of voters.
He urged members to put the 2024 defeat behind them and focus on the next electoral contest.
“Let us stop looking backwards. Let us stop looking sideways. Let us look ahead to the day in 2028 when the people of Ghana line up in the sun, in the rain, and in their millions and say, enough of NDC government’s incompetence,” he said.
The National Delegates Conference forms part of the NPP’s reorganisation ahead of the 2028 elections, with more than 7,000 delegates gathering in Kumasi to elect national officers who will steer the party through the next phase of its political activities.
