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Afenyo-Markin Urges NPP to Shift from Talk to Action After 2024 Election Loss

By Life Pulse Daily | Updated: December 26, 2025

Introduction

In a pivotal Christmas message delivered on December 25, 2025, the Minority Leader and prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alexander Afenyo-Markin, issued a clarion call for a fundamental shift in the party’s post-election posture. Following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections, Afenyo-Markin has challenged party faithfuls to move beyond the phase of mourning and lamentation. He is urging a transition toward constructive action, internal discipline, and strategic rebuilding. This address is not merely a seasonal greeting but a strategic roadmap for the NPP as it navigates the turbulent waters of opposition and prepares for future political contests.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Afenyo-Markin’s message, exploring the implications for the New Patriotic Party’s internal dynamics, the upcoming flagbearer primaries, and the broader political landscape in Ghana. We will dissect the key themes of unity, discipline, and the critical need to bridge the gap between political rhetoric and tangible action.

Key Points

Background

To understand the weight of Afenyo-Markin’s statement, one must look at the context of the 2024 Ghanaian general elections. The New Patriotic Party (NPP), which had been in power for eight years under President Nana Akufo-Addo, faced a significant defeat at the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This loss ended the eight-year governance cycle that had characterized Ghanaian politics since 2000.

The election results revealed significant cracks within the NPP, including voter dissatisfaction in key strongholds and a perception of economic mismanagement that the opposition successfully capitalized on. In the aftermath, the party has been grappling with a period of introspection. The “Christmas Message” of 2025, therefore, comes at a time when the NPP is searching for a new identity and a path back to relevance.

Afenyo-Markin, known for his articulate defense of government policies while in power, is now positioning himself as a voice of reason and reform. His message reflects the anxiety within the party regarding the potential for factionalism—a common occurrence for incumbent parties after a loss—which could derail their chances in subsequent elections.

Analysis

Afenyo-Markin’s speech is a masterclass in political crisis management. By framing the post-election period as a time for “action” rather than “communicate” (talk), he is addressing a critical vulnerability of the NPP: the perception gap between political promises and delivery.

The Shift from Rhetoric to Responsibility

The Minority Leader’s assertion that the answer to public doubt is “not yes by mouth, but through our acts and conduct” is a direct critique of the political style that may have contributed to the 2024 loss. In Ghanaian politics, the “blame game” often follows electoral defeat. Afenyo-Markin is preempting this by calling for a moratorium on excuses. He recognizes that the Ghanaian electorate has become sophisticated; they demand accountability and tangible results. By urging the NPP to prove its readiness for power through conduct, he is advocating for a form of “shadow governance” where the party acts as a responsible opposition, thereby rebuilding trust.

The Imperative of Unity

The emphasis on unity is strategic. The NPP is historically prone to fierce internal competition, particularly during flagbearer primaries. The 2024 loss likely exacerbated these tensions. Afenyo-Markin’s warning that “unity is worth fighting for” suggests that the party is at risk of fragmentation. If the NPP allows the primaries to become a destructive battle, it risks alienating the grassroots. His message serves as a stabilizing force, reminding members that the common enemy is the ruling party (post-2024), not each other.

Safeguarding the Heritage

The mention of “forebearers” and “sacred” traditions touches on the NPP’s identity as a party of “Danquah-Busia-Dombo” tradition. There is an implicit fear that the internal bickering could tarnish the party’s historical brand. Afenyo-Markin is signaling that the rebuilding process must not compromise the core values that define the NPP, even as the party adapts to new political realities.

Practical Advice

For political analysts, party members, and observers of Ghanaian politics, Afenyo-Markin’s message offers a blueprint for political rehabilitation. Here is how the NPP can practically implement this call to action:

1. Institutionalizing Internal Discipline

The NPP must move beyond verbal calls for discipline. This involves establishing clear codes of conduct for the upcoming primaries. The party leadership should enforce rules regarding campaign financing, language use, and conflict resolution to prevent the kind of infighting that scares away swing voters.

2. Grassroots Engagement Over Media Wars

To transition from “communicate” to “action,” party executives should prioritize constituency-level organization over national media appearances. The focus should be on rebuilding the party’s structure at the polling station level, which is where elections are actually won or lost.

3. Constructive Opposition as a Viable Alternative

To answer the question of “readiness for power,” the NPP must present a shadow cabinet or policy alternatives that are practical and well-researched. Instead of merely criticizing the government, they must demonstrate how they would handle specific issues like inflation, unemployment, and infrastructure differently.

FAQ

Conclusion

Afenyo-Markin’s Christmas message is a defining document for the New Patriotic Party’s recovery strategy. It marks the end of the “mourning phase” and the beginning of a disciplined reconstruction era. By insisting on a pivot from verbal lamentation to strategic action, he has set a high bar for the party’s leadership and membership.

The road ahead for the NPP is fraught with challenges, including economic scrutiny and the inevitable friction of opposition politics. However, if the principles of unity, discipline, and heritage protection articulated by Afenyo-Markin are genuinely adopted, the party stands a strong chance of reinventing itself. The ultimate test will be whether the NPP can translate these words into a cohesive political force that can effectively challenge the status quo in the years to come.