Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has delivered a strong message of unity, restraint, and long-term focus to members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the party prepares for its upcoming presidential primaries.
Addressing party stakeholders at the signing of a peace pact by NPP presidential aspirants on Thursday, January 22, Afenyo-Markin spoke frankly about the realities of life in opposition, describing it as a daily struggle that reinforces the party’s desire to regain power.
“Opposition is painful and lonely. We are living in it. We feel it every day,” he said, adding that being out of government often leads to isolation and loss of support.
Despite the challenges, the Minority Leader noted that the party’s ambition to return to power remains firm.
“None of us want to remain there. We want power to save, to transform lives, and to move Ghana forward,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin cautioned aspirants and supporters against allowing internal competition to degenerate into hostility, urging them to rise above emotions that could weaken the party.
“Let us rise above anger. Let us rise above insults. Let us rise above short-term emotions for long-term victory,” he urged.
He stressed that internal elections should strengthen, not divide, the party, and called on all sides to commit to unity once the primaries are concluded.
“When the contest is over, let us close ranks, lock arms, and march forward together stronger, wiser, and united towards victory 2028,” he said.
Touching on Ghana’s broader democratic experience, Afenyo-Markin emphasized that political competition must be managed responsibly to preserve national stability.
“Political competition is a necessary and healthy feature of every democracy. However, it is how that competition is managed that defines the maturity of a political party and ultimately the stability of the nation,” he noted.
He praised the peace pact initiative, describing it as a timely and deliberate effort to safeguard party cohesion and Ghana’s democratic reputation.
“Peace does not happen by accident. It is the product of deliberate leadership, mutual respect, and a collective decision to place long-term interests above short-term personal gain,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin concluded by reminding party members that Ghana’s democratic stability has been built through restraint and responsible conduct, urging them not to take it for granted as the party charts its path toward the 2028 elections.
