The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on Friday accused President John Dramani Mahama’s administration of abusing power, weakening state institutions and pushing the country toward democratic decline, vowing that the opposition would resist what it described as constitutional violations and economic mismanagement.
Speaking at the close of Parliament’s third meeting, Afenyo-Markin said Ghana’s democracy was “under attack from within” and warned that public frustration had reached a breaking point.
“In our view, our country is in danger. Our democracy is under attack from within,” he told lawmakers.
Democracy, accountability and the courts
Afenyo-Markin accused the executive of sidelining Parliament and using the courts to alter parliamentary representation, citing ongoing disputes in constituencies such as Kpandai and Suhum.
“Democracy rests on one sacred principle: the people choose their representatives,” he said. “Not judges. Not bureaucrats.”
He also alleged that discussions were underway in some quarters to engineer a third presidential term, a claim the government has previously denied.
“Such schemes will not pass. Not on this Minority’s watch,” he said.
The opposition leader criticised what he described as the routine use of certificates of urgency to fast-track legislation, calling it an abuse of constitutional procedure that weakens parliamentary scrutiny.
Tragedies, education and youth unemployment
Afenyo-Markin devoted much of his address to recent national tragedies, accusing the government of failing to hold officials accountable.
He cited the deaths of six young women during a military recruitment exercise at Accra’s El-Wak Sports Stadium and a military helicopter crash in Obuasi that killed eight people, including two cabinet ministers.
“The tragedy was preventable,” he said of the recruitment deaths. “Still—not a single official has been held accountable.”
On education, he said outcomes under the government had deteriorated, pointing to what he described as the worst WASSCE performance in seven years, with more than 220,000 candidates failing core mathematics.
“These are not just numbers,” he said. “These are 220,000 doors slammed shut.”
He also warned that rising youth unemployment posed a national security threat, criticising the government’s failure to deliver on its promised 24-hour economy.
Economy, corruption and foreign policy
The Minority Leader accused the government of selective justice in its anti-corruption drive, citing efforts to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor and alleging that opposition figures were targeted while ruling-party allies benefited from dropped charges.
“The fight against corruption must be genuine and non-partisan,” he said.
He also criticised the now-withdrawn lithium agreement, saying public pressure had forced the government to reverse course, and called for the resignation of Lands Minister Armah Kofi Buah.
On the economy, Afenyo-Markin said rising living costs, electricity tariff hikes and inflation were eroding the social contract, accusing the government of wasteful spending amid hardship.
He further described Ghana’s recent foreign policy posture as “reckless,” warning that diplomatic tensions with partners such as the United States and Israel risked undermining the country’s international standing.
Despite the sharp criticism, Afenyo-Markin closed by thanking parliamentary staff and the media, extending Christmas greetings to lawmakers and reaffirming that President Mahama’s tenure would end constitutionally in 2028.
“There will be no third term by stealth,” he said. “We will not stand by while this government dismantles what generations built.”
Source: asaaseradio.com
