Alexander Afenyo-Markin is the Minority Leader in Parliament
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has gradually emerged as a significant force in the political arena, becoming a notable challenge to the National Democratic Congress since becoming the leader of the NPP caucus in Parliament.
Once a reserved figure who quietly focused on fulfilling his duties for his constituency without seeking attention, the outspoken and vocal lawmaker has now become a household name, garnering both positive and negative recognition, particularly among young Ghanaians.
While his approach and methods may not always align with conventional expectations and may not be generally favored, they have, on multiple occasions, reinvigorated his caucus, the New Patriotic Party, especially among crestfallen grassroots supporters. His leadership, first as Majority Leader and now in the Minority, has revived their spirits.
Afenyo-Markin’s public statements and outbursts have often placed him under scrutiny. However, his quickness to offer apologies when necessary has earned him a reputation as an ‘apologist,’ as he remains steadfast in his unrelenting nature.
From Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to media personnel, here are the three times the leader of the NPP caucus has apologized to people he offended;
Apology to Okudzeto Ablakwa
Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament apologized to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his wife over a comment he made about them in relation to the vetting process.
During the vetting of the minister nominee on January 31, 2025, Afenyo-Markin apologized for his earlier claims that Ablakwa and his wife had been secretly smuggled into the vetting room by the Majority members on the Appointments Committee, despite not being scheduled for vetting.
“Let me unconditionally apologize to your wife for how my press statement came about and how she felt. I would feel bad if somebody said something about my own wife. It is fair because it is not an official matter.
“I am sorry to your wife, and for how my press conference was carried. I also say sorry to you. I have the utmost respect for you, and I will be the last person to run you down. So, I am sorry, and I am sorry to your wife,” he said.
Apology to Clerk of Appointments Committee
Afenyo-Markin apologised to Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, following his outburst during a vetting session.
During the session, Afenyo-Markin accused the clerk of bias and procedural lapses, leading the Minority to call for her resignation over alleged unprofessional conduct.
The Minority Leader claimed that she had shown open allegiance to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), thereby compromising the neutrality of the vetting process.
“Mr Speaker let me unreservedly say to the Clerk to the Appointments Committee Mrs Gifty Jiaggae-Gobah, I am sorry. Let me also say to her husband that my comments in terms of the internal matter if as a husband he is traumatised by this, I hereby unreservedly apologise. To the children let me unreservedly say sorry to the children.
“Let me unreservedly say sorry to the extended family, those close and dear to her who are affected by my outpour of disappointment in her conduct, and to all her colleagues in the parliamentary service including colleagues who felt I could have managed the matter better. Mr Speaker, I am sorry,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
Apology to journalist
On November 12, 2024, the lawmaker apologized to a journalist from Channel One TV following an outburst in which he attacked the journalist for referring to him as the ‘leader of the NPP caucus in Parliament.’
Afenyo-Markin’s fury stemmed from the journalist’s failure to address him by his official title as the Majority Leader during the controversy over the four vacant seats, a matter that was heard by the Supreme Court.
In the case of the four vacant seats, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which was the majority at the time with 138 seats, saw three of its members decide to contest the 2024 elections as independent candidates. This prompted an order from the Speaker of Parliament declaring the seats of four MPs vacant.
The ruling shifted the balance of power, giving the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) an upper hand, thus making them the Majority in Parliament, while the NPP, the then governing party, became the Minority. As a result of the declaration, the NDC had 136 MPs, while the NPP had 135. Prior to this, the NPP had 138 seats and the NDC had 137.
In relation to the vacant seat controversy, Afenyo-Markin also apologized to JoyNews after accusing the news outlet of being mischievous and biased in their coverage of the issue.
MAG/EK
Also, watch as Afenyo-Markin exposes NPP appointees pretending to be NDC to maintain positions