Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, 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. Else 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.
Additionally, the minority leader speaking to GraphicOnline clarified the heated exchanges witnessed in Parliament.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the heated exchanges should not be mistaken for anger but rather are a way the MPs express their disagreements as part of the democratic process.
Speaking in a video shared by GraphicOnline on X on Thursday, January 1, 2026, he explained, “Don’t think that we are fighting. It is only our way of expressing disagreement. We are not at war in Parliament; we are only expressing our disagreements”.
“That’s why when there’s chaos, you see calmness the next day in Parliament. So, if you go and fight, you are fighting your own trouble, so don’t fight,” he emphasised.
Also, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has predicted that by mid 2026, President John Mahama will become a lame-duck president.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader of Parliament, has predicted that by mid 2026, President John Mahama will become a lame-duck president.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the NDC is divided; he alleged that the party has its candidate while the presidency is also fielding its own candidate for the elections.
Afenyo-Markin alleged that Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has chosen Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, as her running mate.
The minority leader alleged that President Mahama will become a lame-duck president because the NDC will be fighting over who succeeds him.
Speaking at a press conference on January 26, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “The NDC also have a leadership contest ahead of them, which is very messy.
The NDC is divided because of power. Today, Asiedu Nketiah says he is going on a ‘thank you’ tour; what we have seen is that the government has its own preferred candidate for the flagbearer and the party also have their own choice of flagbearer”.
Afenyo-Markin further added, “ By mid-year, President Mahama will become a lame-duck president because everyone is fighting for power. The Vice President also wants to become president. Recently, we heard that she has chosen Haruna Iddrisu as her running mate”.
“We have also heard that the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, is going to contest, and his running mate is Fifii Kwetey, the NDC General Secretary. The majority leader and Ablakwa are also doing their personal permutation. Also, the finance minister is preparing his running mate”.