The Majority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has made a passionate appeal to New Patriotic Party (NPP) members who lost the party’s parliamentary primaries to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal.
Addressing thousands of party faithful during the party’s 2024 manifesto launch at the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, 2024 Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasised the need for unity and hard work to break the eight-year governance cycle with a resounding victory.
He acknowledged the frustrations and challenges within the party but encouraged members to look beyond their individual experiences. He stressed that time is not on their side and urged them to focus on increasing the party’s numbers in parliament.
The lawmaker cited the 2020 elections in the Central Region, where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo won 19 seats, but the party secured only 10 seats in parliament.
“Enough of the reconciliation, move on,” Afenyo-Markin pleaded with the parliamentary candidates.
“Fight hard, campaign day and night, go to every household. We don’t have time to settle disputes. Fight for this party the way you fight to save the people.”
Afenyo-Markin attributed the challenges the party faces in parliament to the almost equal numbers on both sides of the House.
With 137 NPP MPs and 137 NDC MPs, the NPP relies on the support of one independent MP, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who declared to work with the NPP tradition in 2021. Despite this slim majority, the NPP has struggled to pass policies and legislation.
The Majority Leader’s call to action comes as the NPP seeks to maintain its majority in parliament. He urged party faithful to work assiduously to avert the challenge in the 2024 general elections.
“We don’t want that again under Dr. Bawumia’s government. Let’s get our numbers and win together because we have outperformed any government in the 4th Republic in all aspects of the economy,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin also encouraged followers to work in unison despite frustrations, emphasizing that there is always a future for all party members.
“Fellow patriots, you may be a senior today, and your junior may overtake you. You may go through painful experiences today, but there is always a tomorrow. Have faith in the future of Bawumia-Matthew Opoku Prempeh,” he underscored.
By Stephen Odoi-Larbi
