Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has warned that growing internal divisions within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), if allowed to undermine the party’s peace pact, could fatally weaken its prospects in the 2028 general election and erode the Minority’s constitutional duty to hold the government to account.
Addressing party leaders and presidential aspirants at the signing ceremony on Thursday, January 22, ahead of the party’s January 31 primary, Mr Afenyo-Markin urged restraint, discipline, and unity, stressing that power is never won through internal warfare.
“Opposition is painful and lonely. We know this,” he said. “But power does not come through division. Power comes through discipline. Power comes through unity.”
The Minority Leader described the peace pact as more than a ceremonial exercise, calling it a defining test of leadership, patriotism, and political maturity. He warned that internal party contests marked by insults, unsubstantiated allegations, and factionalism would only strengthen political opponents.
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“Every single insult traded and every attempt to demonise a rival today becomes a weapon in our opponent’s hand tomorrow,” he cautioned.
Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that the consequences of a fractured NPP go far beyond party offices and campaign platforms, extending directly into Parliament. According to him, internal divisions risk crippling the Minority’s ability to serve as a bulwark against excesses, impunity, and bad governance under the Mahama administration.
“A divided NPP does not only risk losing another election. It weakens the Mighty Minority’s ability to stand firmly against bad governance,” he said, warning that when party energies are consumed by internal feuds, the governing majority is handed a “free pass” on corruption, economic hardship, and institutional decay.
He urged presidential aspirants to recognise the influence they wield over their supporters, noting that their tone and conduct would inevitably filter down to the grassroots.
“When leaders speak with restraint, supporters listen with restraint,” he said, urging campaigns based on ideas, record and vision rather than insults, intimidation or threats.
Drawing on history, the Minority Leader reminded the party that unity has always been the cornerstone of its electoral success.
“Whenever the NPP is united, it is formidable. Whenever it is divided, it bleeds—and Ghana pays the price,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further warned that the peace pact would be meaningless if it ended with signatures alone. He called on aspirants to respect party rules, submit to the authority of the Electoral Committee, and accept the outcome of the January 31 contest with dignity.
“This peace pact is not about who wins on January 31. It is about whether on February 1 the NPP will still be united, credible, and strong in the eyes of Ghanaians,” he stressed.
Concluding, he urged party leadership to enforce the pact firmly and fairly and appealed to grassroots supporters not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of division.
“Ghana needs this party back—not wounded and quarrelling—but renewed, united and serious,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.