Majority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin has set an ambitious goal for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the country heads toward its presidential and parliamentary elections.
He called for nothing less than a sweeping victory of nearly 150 parliamentary seats, a figure that would put the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a serious disadvantage.
Speaking passionately on Kwame Sefa Kayi’s renowned Kokrokoo show on Peace FM monitored by MyNewsGH.com, Afenyo-Markin emphasized that only a concerted, grassroots-driven campaign can deliver such a result.
The interview revealed Afenyo-Markin’s frustration with the NPP’s prior shortcomings in reaching its base, a disconnect he believes has emboldened their NDC rivals. He asserted that such division could have been avoided if the NPP had stayed closely connected with grassroots supporters.
“We need our MPs-to-be on the ground, speaking the language of their people,” Afenyo-Markin stated firmly. “This is not the time for complacency; it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
The Majority Leader’s sentiments reflect the heightened urgency within the NPP, which currently finds itself at odds with the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, as well as NDC MPs. According to Afenyo-Markin, these clashes have gone beyond what the party can control and are no longer the NPP’s immediate concern.
Instead, he stressed that the NPP’s focus should be on dominating the upcoming elections to secure a majority that could insulate them from similar challenges in the future.
“It’s not about controlling every move in Parliament any more,” he remarked.
“It’s about controlling the future by securing a massive win now.”
Afenyo-Markin also voiced his concern that the NDC is determined to block the NPP’s policies, particularly those championed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo before he leaves office.
For the NPP, protecting flagship programs like the Free Senior High School initiative and the ‘One District, One Factory’ (IDIF) policy has become paramount.
These initiatives have had a significant impact on education and economic development in the country, and Afenyo-Markin believes that the NDC recognizes its influence.
He warned that the opposition would do everything it could to stall these programs to prevent the NPP from gaining more political ground.
“The NDC sees these policies—our free SHS, our IDIF—they know these are programs that uplift lives, and that’s why they’re trying to block us,” Afenyo-Markin said, expressing his resolve to protect these programs by ensuring the NPP retains power.
“They know that if we continue, it’ll only make us stronger, so they’re determined to hold us back. We cannot allow that.”
The Majority Leader urged all NPP members, especially aspiring MPs, to engage actively with their constituencies, ensuring that the party’s message is heard and understood by all. He believes that achieving a strong parliamentary majority could be pivotal for the NPP’s legacy and for Ghana’s future, providing the momentum necessary to complete their vision for the country.
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