They Sell Gold And Run At a Loss; They Can’t intimidate us – Afenyo-Markin
Afenyo-Markin Calls for Judicial Independence and NPP Unity Ahead of 2028
KUMASI, GHANA — Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly defended the need for judicial independence, warning that the judiciary must remain loyal to the Constitution and justice rather than political interests.
Addressing supporters in Kumasi, Afenyo-Markin said the judiciary had a responsibility to maintain public confidence by exercising particular care when dealing with matters connected to the political agenda of any government.
“Presidents come and go, parties win and lose, but the bench must remain the bench,” he said. “Its loyalty must be to the Constitution. Its purpose must be justice.”
He argued that judicial independence was essential to protecting every citizen, regardless of political affiliation.
Afenyo-Markin further accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of using the law against political opponents while allegedly favouring friends and associates of the government. He said such conduct, if it occurred, would undermine the rule of law and create fear beyond the immediate political environment.
“When the law becomes a whip for brutalising and terrorising the opposition and is served for friends and cronies of the NDC government, then it is not the law anymore,” he stated.
He warned that fear could eventually affect journalists, lawyers, traders, students and ordinary citizens who expressed opinions publicly.
Criticism of government performance
The Minority Leader also criticised the government over what he described as failures to fulfil key campaign promises.
Afenyo-Markin also claimed that cocoa farmers were receiving lower payments than they received under the previous Akufo-Addo administration, describing the situation as unprecedented in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. He extended his criticism to rice and maize farmers.
He maintained that positive economic indicators on paper did not necessarily reflect the experiences of ordinary Ghanaians.
Calls for resilience
Drawing inspiration from former United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s address to the American people during the Second World War, Afenyo-Markin urged his supporters not to become discouraged.
He called for “stout hearts” capable of enduring political setbacks and maintaining commitment to their principles.
He linked the party’s political traditions to the struggles of Ghana’s early political leaders, including J.B. Danquah and Kofi Abrefa Busia, arguing that their sacrifices helped establish values including free speech, free enterprise and democratic elections.
Appeal for unity and reconciliation
Afenyo-Markin also urged members and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to reach out to critics and former opponents rather than attacking them.
He called for greater tolerance and inclusiveness within the party and encouraged members to build relationships with civil society organisations that have been critical of the NPP.
“Let us not attack our critics,” he said. “We can win their hearts if we demonstrate tolerance and inclusiveness.”
Looking toward 2028
Looking ahead to the 2028 general elections, Afenyo-Markin urged NPP supporters to concentrate on hard work, unity and rebuilding public trust.
He envisioned a future in which young graduates could find employment, farmers could access markets for their produce, teachers would be paid on time, families would be protected from the effects of flooding, and journalists could freely express their opinions without fear.
“That is what we are fighting for,” he said.
He ended his address with a call for unity, declaring:
“Let us leave Kumasi as one. One people, one purpose, one Ghana.”
Afenyo-Markin also expressed support for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and called on NPP members to work collectively toward the party’s 2028 political objectives.
He concluded by urging supporters to embrace “humility, hard work and unity”, while calling for God’s blessings on Dr. Bawumia, the NPP, Ghana’s democracy and the country as a whole.
