Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Efutu, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has argued that the seriousness and determination with which “five gentlemen” of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are contesting for the flagbearer position is an indication that the party has a future.
The minority leader underscored the point that the candidates involved have made a name for themselves in the party, and their commitment to leading the party and hoping to secure victory in the general elections signals that the party has a future ahead.
“I am happy that we have five gentlemen of our stock, of their own rights, hardworking, and determined. They have made their name in the party. So bold and courageous to say that, look, we want to take the flag and bring you victory. That in itself tells me that the party has a future.”
Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Efutu constituency
The New Patriotic Party’s presidential primaries is scheduled for January 31, 2025, with five contesting candidates, including Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former vice president; Dr. Yaw Osei Odutwum, former minister for education; Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former minister for agriculture; Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former member of parliament for Assin Central; and Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former general secretary of the NPP.
Hon. Afenyo-Markin, now leader of the New Patriotic Party in parliament, argued that it would take a party that is attractive to have these “gentlemen ready and competing for the top slots.”
The minority leader emphasized that the candidates’ ambition to lead is born out of the quest to use the party’s brand to lead and serve their country.
He further emphasized that it takes a party with an attractive brand for its noblemen to want to leverage that brand to serve the country, noting that this further supports his argument that the party has a future ahead.
“It is not necessarily ambition for personal gain, but ambition to use the party to serve their country. And for me, the fact that these men remain that determined, that fire in their belly keeps burning, gives me assurance that there is hope for the party. Because you see, a party that has no future will not have people wasting their time to use its brand to serve at all.”
Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Efutu constituency
Hon. Afenyo-Markin further noted that if these individuals did not believe in the strength of the party’s brand and the fact that the party has a future, they would have chosen to go independent.
He noted that the primaries and the level of determination and courage with which the candidates are approaching is a good start for the party, emphasizing that all of that will be concluded by 31st January, 2025.
Members of Parliament Neutrality in the Primaries
The minority leader noted that after the presidential primaries, all the members of parliament and the entire party will all have to rally behind the chosen leader for them to prepare for the next election.
He noted that the processes involving the setting up of the manifesto committee and the broader rebranding of the party will see the members of parliament playing key roles in terms of bringing all party members on board.
However, he emphasized that this process will mean that the people’s trust in the members of parliament is that which will make them willing to support the rebranding and rebuilding of the party after the presidential primaries.
“Once the leader is chosen, the manifesto committee will be set up, and then the proper rebranding starts. Because whoever is chosen as a leader comes with his vision. A vision that will be interlocked with the vision of the party, our ideology, and what we stand for.”
Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Efutu constituency
He emphasized that the members of parliament’s neutrality in the contest will be key to earning the people’s trust to be able to work with them after the contest.
Hon. Afenyo-Markin, however, noted that even though he conveyed these views to his caucus, some made it known to him that they will want to openly support their preferred candidates.
He also emphasized that he is not disturbed by any of such open support from some of his colleagues because “they have always done it with decency.”
The minority leader therefore emphasized that the NPP will work towards its rebuild with hard work, determination, and faith.
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