Afenyo-Markin Warns NPP Minority MPs: Disunity Undermining Role in Ghana Parliament

In the dynamic arena of Ghanaian politics, unity among opposition ranks is crucial for effective oversight. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, delivered a stark warning to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority MPs, emphasizing how internal disunity is eroding their parliamentary influence. This article breaks down the speech from the NPP caucus meeting, offering clear insights into the challenges facing Ghana’s opposition and the path to stronger representation.

Introduction

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, serving as the Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, issued a direct caution to fellow NPP Minority MPs during a caucus meeting on November 13, 2025, at the seventh floor of Job 600. His message centered on a critical issue: NPP disunity in Parliament is severely weakening the caucus’s ability to hold the government accountable. Delivered amid rising internal tensions, Afenyo-Markin’s remarks highlight the essential role of opposition unity in safeguarding democratic processes.

This event underscores broader themes in Ghanaian parliamentary dynamics, where the Minority—led by the NPP—plays a vital oversight function. By addressing Afenyo-Markin NPP warning, we explore how disunity hampers this mandate, providing educational value for understanding opposition strategies in multi-party democracies like Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Analysis

The speech by Afenyo-Markin reveals deep concerns about the operational challenges within the NPP Minority Caucus. As Minority Leader, he holds a pivotal position under Ghana’s Standing Orders, coordinating the opposition’s legislative agenda and ensuring cohesive responses to government actions.

Context of the NPP Caucus Meeting

Held on the seventh floor of Job 600—the iconic Parliament building in Accra—the meeting was a strategic gathering for NPP MPs. Afenyo-Markin framed the discussion around the caucus’s core purpose: representing Ghanaian constituents and amplifying the voices of the marginalized. He stressed that MPs are in Parliament “by choice,” not accident, invoking their constitutional duty under Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution to scrutinize executive actions.

Root Causes of Disunity

Afenyo-Markin pinpointed internal bickering, backbiting, and corridor whispers as self-inflicted wounds. These behaviors, he argued, inadvertently aid the Majority’s agenda to sideline the Minority. In pedagogical terms, this illustrates the principal-agent problem in politics: MPs as agents of the people must prioritize collective goals over personal ambitions to maintain efficacy.

Government Accountability Gaps

The leader linked disunity to unaddressed national issues, including economic mismanagement and alleged abuse of state institutions. A united front, he posited, is indispensable for robust parliamentary oversight, echoing historical precedents where opposition cohesion has influenced policy reforms in Ghana.

Summary

In summary, Afenyo-Markin’s address on November 13, 2025, urged NPP Minority MPs to combat NPP Minority disunity in Parliament. He warned that internal divisions pose a greater threat than the Majority, allowing government lapses in economic stewardship and institutional integrity to persist unchecked. Prioritizing unity, he said, is key to fulfilling their representative roles without burdening constituents.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Afenyo-Markin offered actionable guidance for NPP MPs to restore effectiveness. Pedagogically, this advice serves as a model for parliamentary teams worldwide.

Prioritize Teamwork Over Ambition

MPs should channel energies into unified strategies. For instance, during debates, coordinate positions in advance via caucus meetings to present a formidable front.

Constructive Disagreement Protocols

Adopt structured forums for internal debates, ensuring policy differences—such as 2028 leadership preferences—do not spill into public divisions. This mirrors best practices in mature parliaments like the UK’s House of Commons.

Amplify Oversight Actions

File targeted questions, motions, and committee interventions collectively. A united Minority can leverage Article 103(a) for summoning ministers, enhancing accountability on economic issues.

Public Engagement Strategies

Regular constituency outreach reinforces the caucus’s role as the “voice of the unvoiced,” building public support that bolsters parliamentary leverage.

Points of Caution

Afenyo-Markin’s warnings highlight risks of inaction, educating on pitfalls in opposition politics.

Self-Sabotage Through Division

Continued infighting eases the Majority’s path to irrelevance for the Minority, as noted: “We are doing their work for them.”

Constituent Burden

Disagreements become “collateral damage” for Ghanaians suffering economic woes and institutional abuses.

Inaction as Betrayal

“Belief without action is betrayal”—a reminder that passive division forfeits oversight duties amid government “running riot.”

These cautions underscore the pedagogical imperative: Unity is not optional but foundational for democratic balance.

Comparison

Comparing Afenyo-Markin’s stance to historical NPP dynamics reveals patterns. During the NPP’s Majority tenure (2017-2024), internal unity bolstered legislative dominance. Post-2024 elections, with NPP in Minority, echoes past opposition phases like 2009-2012 under Nana Akufo-Addo, where cohesion amplified anti-corruption probes.

Versus Other Parliaments

In Nigeria’s National Assembly, APC opposition factions have similarly weakened oversight. Conversely, South Africa’s DA maintains disciplined unity, securing concessions. Ghana’s NPP can draw from these for Ghana opposition unity models.

Pre-2025 vs. Current Dynamics

Prior caucuses showed tighter alignment; recent 2025 fissures, per Afenyo-Markin, risk repeating NDC’s fragmented opposition eras.

Legal Implications

No direct legal violations stem from the speech, as it falls under protected parliamentary speech per Article 115 of Ghana’s Constitution. However, Afenyo-Markin’s call reinforces the Minority’s legal tools: summoning powers (Article 103), no-confidence motions, and budget scrutiny. Disunity could indirectly impair these, potentially inviting judicial reviews if oversight lapses enable executive overreach, as seen in past Supreme Court interventions like the 2013 budget case.

Conclusion

Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s timely warning to NPP Minority MPs illuminates the perils of disunity in Ghana’s Parliament. By fostering NPP caucus meeting discipline, the opposition can reclaim its pivotal role in accountability. This event, reported on November 14, 2025, serves as a rallying cry for unity, ensuring Ghanaians’ voices resonate. Aspiring politicians and observers alike can learn from this: In democracy, a house divided cannot effectively check power.

Moving forward, sustained caucus reforms will determine the NPP’s parliamentary trajectory toward 2028, reinforcing Ghana’s multiparty vibrancy.

FAQ