The Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has acknowledged that his side of the House is currently experiencing some turbulence following the outcome of the last general elections.
Speaking at a meeting in Parliament on Thursday, September 11, to welcome the UK Minister for International Development, the Minority Leader reflected on the challenges of leading the opposition, while drawing inspiration from Ghana’s political history.
“On our side, as the Minority, we are going through some turbulence. We were in the office for eight years. We lost elections. Quite disappointing. And we came in with 88. And the Majority will not let us have our peace, but it is what it is. So we are now back to 87,” he remarked.
Despite the setback, Hon. Afenyo-Markin encouraged his colleagues not to lose hope, citing how the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by the current Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, overcame a similar period of difficulty in the early 2000s.
He recalled that after the 2000 elections, the NDC was disoriented, having lost power for the first time after 11 years of PNDC rule and two successive democratic terms. Mr. Bagbin, who was chosen to lead the party in Parliament, helped steer the Minority through turbulent waters.
“Within the first term of President Kufuor, all seven by-elections, they lost. And the NPP in government had more seats. But they didn’t give up, led by him. By 2004, they had reclaimed some key seats they had lost, even in by-elections. And then by 2008, they were able to force a change in government,” Hon. Afenyo-Markin recounted.
The Minority Leader stressed that history offers lessons of resilience and determination, urging his side to work harder as they navigate their current challenges in Parliament.
