Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to unite, work hard and rebuild public trust as the party prepares to return to power in 2028.
Addressing delegates at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections had left many members discouraged, but insisted that the setback could be overcome through collective effort.
He said the conference should provide the party with an opportunity to heal from its electoral defeat, complete its internal reorganisation and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2028 elections.
“Although we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, let us fear no evil. The Lord God, our God, is with us. And come 2028, we shall prevail,” he told the gathering.
According to the Minority Leader, the NPP must leave the conference as a united political force rather than allow the competition for national office to create lasting divisions.
He acknowledged that there would be winners and losers in the national elections, but urged all contestants and their supporters to accept the outcome and continue working for the party.
“When the ballots are counted, nobody must leave this venue believing that personal defeat today is a defeat for either themselves or the NPP,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also expressed confidence in the party’s internal processes, arguing that the NPP had demonstrated its capacity to elect leaders from the polling station level through to the national level.
He said the party already had its 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in place and called on members to rally behind him and his wife, Samira Bawumia.
The Minority Leader said the NPP’s immediate task is to regain the confidence of Ghanaians by presenting itself as a united party committed to addressing the country’s challenges.
“Let us leave this venue with a clear message to the Ghanaian people that we are indeed one party with one purpose—to win back the trust and mandate of the people of Ghana,” he said.
He said the party would continue to hold the government accountable while also developing what he described as a more credible and impactful vision for Ghana.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the NPP’s role in opposition required it to defend democratic freedoms, scrutinise government policies and challenge what it considers failures in governance.
“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 Effutu MP used the occasion to criticise the government of President John Mahama, particularly its management of the economy.
He argued that the economic improvements being highlighted by the government are largely the result of measures initiated under the previous NPP administration and the IMF programme inherited by the NDC government.
According to him, the NDC government inherited an economy on a path towards recovery after difficult decisions were taken by the Akufo-Addo administration.
“What the NDC has simply done is that the initiative of Dr Bawumia on the domestic gold purchase programme, even so, after adopting, implemented it poorly, which led to losses in excess of $1.7 billion, as reported by the IMF,” he claimed.
The Minority Leader also accused the government of relying excessively on what he described as “optics” in presenting its performance to the public.
“Optics alone does not put food on the table, provide jobs, or pay rents,” he said.
He further criticised the government over what he described as unfulfilled campaign promises, citing the 24-hour economy and other flagship initiatives.
He also raised concerns about electricity tariffs, agricultural incomes and the government’s management of the domestic gold purchasing programme.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also highlighted a number of social and economic challenges he said required urgent government attention.
He cited road fatalities, flooding, illegal mining and problems in the education sector among issues affecting Ghanaians.
“Last year, 2,940 Ghanaians died on our roads. This year, floods have killed over 30 of our people and driven many thousands from their homes,” he said.
He attributed the flooding to failures in drainage, planning and preparedness.
On illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, he accused the government of failing to adequately address the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies.
He also raised concerns over drug trafficking and questioned why individuals allegedly behind major drug consignments had not faced prosecution.
A significant part of Mr Afenyo-Markin’s address focused on what he described as threats to civil liberties and freedom of expression.
He criticised the arrest and detention of several opposition figures and said the NPP would continue to demand equal treatment under the law.
He referenced the cases involving NPP figures including Chairman Wontumi, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC, and other individuals who he said had faced arrest or detention over their public statements.
He also referred to the reported attempt to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at a court premises after the legislator had appeared as counsel in a bail application.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the NPP would defend democratic freedoms through lawful means.
“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.”
The Minority Leader also raised concerns about public confidence in the judiciary, stressing the need for judicial independence.
He referred to reported comments by the Chief Justice,
His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, during visits to state institutions and said such interventions could raise concerns about the appearance of political alignment.
He acknowledged the Judicial Service’s explanation that the remarks were made in good faith and were not intended to undermine judicial independence.
However, he maintained that judicial leaders must exercise particular caution when commenting on political matters.
“Presidents come and go, parties win and lose, but the bench must remain the bench,” he said.
“Its loyalty must be to the Constitution, its purpose must be justice, its independence protects all of us.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin urged NPP members not to allow internal disagreements or criticism to undermine the party’s efforts to rebuild.
He said the party must demonstrate humility, hard work and unity while reaching out to groups and individuals who may have become alienated from it.
“Our watchwords must be humility, hard work, and unity,” he said.
“Let’s not attack our critics. They may have opposed and said unpalatable things about us in 2024, but we can win their hearts if we demonstrate tolerance and inclusiveness.”
He also urged the party to rebuild its relationship with Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) that have been critical of the NPP.
“Let’s not be too hard on civil societies who are so critical of us. Let’s rebuild relationships. Let’s reach out to them and bring our call back together,” he added.
The Minority Leader thus called on party members to focus on the 2028 elections rather than dwelling on the 2024 defeat.
He said the NPP’s objective should extend beyond merely regaining political power to creating conditions that improve the lives of Ghanaians.
He envisaged a Ghana where young graduates could find jobs, farmers could access markets, teachers would receive their salaries on time, flood victims would be protected and journalists could express their opinions without fear.
“That is what we are fighting for. That is a victory,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin urged delegates to leave Kumasi united and committed to working for the party’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“It is our collective duty to work for his victory in 2028. Therefore, let the chorus end here. Let the work begin here,” he said.
He ended his address with a call for unity around the party’s national objective.
“One people, one purpose, one Ghana,” he said.
By 1960news.com
