The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has warned that his Caucus will not be silenced or intimidated, cautioning against any attempt to suppress dissent in Parliament.
Speaking at the close of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament last Friday, Mr. Afenyo-Markin slammed the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by President John Dramani Mahama.
He accused the government and its Majority in Parliament of opacity, economic mismanagement, and failing to deliver on its promised “reset” agenda.
He described the current period as one of national reckoning, insisting that the opposition would continue to document and challenge what it views as governance failures.
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“We are not here to be intimidated into silence. The people of Ghana gave us a mandate that does not expire simply because we are in the minority,” he declared.
Touching on the gold-for-reserves programme, the Minority Leader alleged significant financial losses and a lack of transparency. He called for full disclosure from the Bank of Ghana and other relevant state institutions.
He further revealed that the Minority has petitioned investigative bodies over the transactions, stressing that accountability must remain central to public financial management.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also demanded transparency in dealings involving politically exposed persons and called for disclosure of costs associated with presidential travel, particularly where private arrangements are involved.
On illegal mining, he accused the government of failing to decisively tackle galamsey despite acknowledging its severity. He called for the naming and prosecution of offenders, suspension of mining in forest reserves, and an independent audit of the gold supply chain.
On the economy, the Minority Leader criticised policies affecting farmers, citing reductions in cocoa and cashew prices, as well as Ghana’s continued reliance on food imports. He warned that such measures risk deepening rural hardship and undermining agricultural sustainability.
He also raised concerns over the implementation of artificial intelligence systems at the ports, describing them as opaque and lacking proper accountability mechanisms, particularly for traders.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin lamented rising road fatalities and unresolved security issues in parts of the country, calling for urgent government intervention.
In an emotional appeal, he referenced the death of a young engineer whose case remains unresolved, urging Parliament to ensure accountability within the health sector.
He assured Ghanaians that the Minority would remain resolute in its oversight role.
“We will be back, rested and ready. Our duty is to the people of Ghana, and we will not relent,” he stated.
Parliament has adjourned sine die and is expected to reconvene at a later date to be announced.
In his closing remarks, Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin described the session as a “marathon of activity,” highlighting significant legislative progress.
He revealed that eight Bills were presented during the session, with six successfully passed into law, covering key sectors such as governance, economic management, education, and national security.
The Speaker also underscored Parliament’s oversight role, noting that 147 questions—both oral and urgent—were addressed, while 59 statements on matters of public interest were referred to committees for further scrutiny.
Additionally, the House approved key financial disbursement formulas for 2026, including allocations for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, National Health Insurance Fund, Ghana Education Trust Fund, and the District Assemblies Common Fund.
He urged Members of Parliament to use the Easter break to reconnect with constituents and strengthen democratic representation.
Invoking the spirit of Easter, Speaker Bagbin called for renewed responsibility among lawmakers, encouraging them to abandon negative practices and recommit to national service.