Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has cautioned against political tribalism, dismissing claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is an Akan-only party.
Afenyo-Markin asserted that if the NPP were an Akan-only party, he wouldn’t have been Minority Leader.
The Minority leader argued that his rise within the NPP opposes the claims that the NPP is exclusively Akan.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) on Wednesday, March 25, Afenyo-Markin argued, “From Volta, my dad is an alumni. My mom is an Efutu woman from the Central Region. And by the way, in the last elections, the Central Region, we only had four seats,” he said.
“If we are looking at a majoritarian system, where you say that NPP is an Akan party, why would I be the minority leader? It means that the leader should come from Ashanti or Eastern. But that is not the case,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin explained, “It’s the reason why when my colleagues were speaking and advising you, they talked about hard work. Amongst us, you realise that the party colleagues will say, “Let’s give it to this person. There will be a small debate. It’s normal. But eventually, we will settle on one”.
“I will plead with all of you. Don’t allow tribal bigotry, or tribalism, to sway your thoughts,” he cautioned.
“Don’t allow anybody to use religion to come and tell you that you are a Hindu, you are an Eckankar, you are a traditional believer, or you are a Muslim,” he said.
“You are growing up. This is a party you have chosen for yourselves. Know the values of the party. What do we stand for? Our party, when they say the traditional NPP, what do we stand for?”
Also, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin 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.
Some Ghanaians reacting to Afenyo-Markin’s claims stated, “So now you’re a minority Leader.
A party gave you a true leadership role, a majority leader, which you even refused to accept when you’re referred to as a minority leader then.
You took the party to an opposition under your watchful eyes, and you think you’re the boss in the game”.
“Afenyo-Markin talking about “Akan only party” while representing a party that has perfected the art of gatekeeping 😂… Bro, politics isn’t just about your tongue; it’s about your track record. Minority Leader today, accountability tomorrow”, a netizen added.
One X user added, “What are you saying? Even your running mates aren’t Akans, but still NPP is still an Akan party. Even some members of the party openly admit so. Don’t fight the Akan party tag, Afenyo”.
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If the NPP were an Akan only party as purported, I wouldn't have been a Minority Leader – Afenyo-Markin, cautions against political tribalism.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/0tkYzfY1N0
— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) March 25, 2026