The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to appoint Alexander Afenyo-Markin as leader of the minority caucus as the party transitions from majority to minority status in the coming weeks.
Joe Wise, a four-term Member of Parliament, expressed confidence in Afenyo-Markin’s ability to effectively steer the minority caucus in Parliament.
Speaking to journalists recently, he described the Effutu MP as possessing the necessary qualities of experience, longevity, and the resilience needed to lead in challenging times.
“This is my view, and nobody has asked me to say anything about the Ninth Parliament,” he clarified. “But as someone who has worked in the House for four terms, I strongly believe that longevity and experience matter. Afenyo-Markin fits the criteria perfectly.”
Joe Wise emphasized that among the current crop of NPP MPs, Afenyo-Markin stands out, second only to Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, the immediate past Majority Leader.
“When Kyei was the Minority Leader and later the Majority Leader, his leadership was evident, but it didn’t happen by accident. He started as a Chief Whip and built his way up. Longevity and experience brought him clarity and strength,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker acknowledged the challenges posed by the NPP’s loss in the December 7 elections, which has left the party with diminished influence in the House.
Despite this, he argued that a strong leader like Afenyo-Markin could galvanize the caucus to make a significant impact.
“Where we are now, we need to be combative. We cannot change decisions with our numbers—at best, we’ll have 91 MPs—but our voices must be loud enough to resonate both in and out of the chamber,” Joe Wise noted.
He stressed that the minority needs a leader who is strong-willed, resolute, and unafraid to face challenges head-on.
“What is required is somebody who is strong, hot-headed, and willing to stand the heat. Afenyo-Markin is the right person to lead us through this critical period,” he concluded.
As the NPP prepares for its new role in opposition, the call by Joe Wise opens the Pandora box over who will best represent the party’s interests and navig
