Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader of Parliament, has recounted how NPP elders in 2004 halted his first attempt at the Effutu parliamentary seat.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the incident was one of the most difficult decisions he has ever encountered in his political journey.
The minority leader explained that a few days before filing at the Electoral Commission, they were called to the Castle, where NPP elders told him he had to step down as he was too young to become a Member of Parliament.
Speaking during an engagement with TESCON members at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) on March 24, 2026, Afenyo-Markin recounted, “… As a parliamentary candidate in 2004, a few days before filing at the EC, we were called to the castle. President John Agyekum Kufuor presided over the meeting. Some party elders said I was too young to be a Member of Parliament”.
The Minority leader stressed that he cried but decided to step down, placing the party’s interest above his own.
Afenyo-Markin added, “I was prevailed upon to step down. That was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I cried, but I had to step down, placing the interests of the party above my own”.
The Effutu MP further disclosed another challenging moment during the party’s primaries in 2008, “Again in 2008, there was a tie at the primaries. Party elders decided that the sitting Member of Parliament, the late Owusu Adjei, should have a casting vote. Upon exercising that mandate, the final result stood at 23 against 22,” he continued.
“Once again, I accepted the outcome and stood firmly with the party, reaffirming the principle of service before personal ambition. These experiences are living examples of how TESCON’s values are tested in practice and not just in theory,” he added.
In related news, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has said the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has not made any tangible imapcat one year in government.
The minority leader questioned whether the Mahama administration had undertaken any major projects or settled outstanding payments to contractors who secured bank loans to execute public works.
According to Afenyo-Markin, macroeconomic indicators are meaningless if they do not improve the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on February 16, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Last year, 2025, what did the government do? Did it pay contractors who had worked and borrowed from banks? If the economy is stagnating and we continue to talk about paper growth, I am interested in the cocoa farmer and the real impact on citizens”.
“I am not here to talk about numbers that have no effect. If the numbers have made a positive impact, I will acknowledge and applaud them. But so far, one year in office, the government has not made any real impact,” he added.
Also, the Minority Leader in Parliament has said his focus is to hold the John Mahama-led government’s feet to the fire.
The minority leader stressed that he will hold the government accountable but will ensure he does not obstruct parliamentary business.
According to Afenyo-Markin, he carefully balanced his role between rigorous scrutiny and respect for parliamentary procedures.
He further stressed that what people described as being controversial in the chamber is due to his active engagements are guided by principle rather than personal interest.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Monday, February 16, 2026, “My focus has been to hold the government’s feet to the fire, at the same time not being obstructive. When you are in opposition, you must have it on the back of your mind that you have a day in government tomorrow.
“So I’m equally mindful not to push too much and personalise matters. If you come back in 2029, they will also make life difficult for you. You gauge the mood of the house, but you don’t deviate from your core duty of scrutinising,” he said.
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@the1957news LIVE | Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin recounts the most difficult decision he has ever made in his political journey, revealing that he was asked by party elders to step down a few days before filing at the EC as the parliamentary candidate for Afutu in 2004 #the1957news ♬ original sound – The1957News