The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has recommended that Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the current Majority Leader, be retained as the leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus in the ninth Parliament, set to begin on January 7, 2025.
He described Mr. Afenyo-Markin as not only “strong” but also possessing the “experience and longevity” necessary to champion the interests of the caucus and the nation in the next Parliament.
In his view, the current politically charged environment requires a leader capable of standing up to the incoming Majority Caucus in 2025. “I strongly believe in longevity and experience. From our own actions and inactions, you can tell that when Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the Minority Leader and then Majority Leader, he stood out very clearly, but it did not happen by accident. He started as a chief whip and grew up to become a leader, as longevity brings experience and clarity,” he explained.
Speaking to the press in Parliament today, the outgoing MP for Bekwai reiterated his stance, stating: “So, I would not support any request for a new person to be brought into the picture now. Let Afenyo-Markin continue again.
“If you ask me, let Afenyo-Markin continue. He started, and there is nobody who has had that experience before him. The only person who has had that experience is Honourable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. He is leaving Parliament, and now [Afenyo-Markin] is the only person who has the sufficient—no, not even sufficient but—required experience.”
Mr Osei-Owusu, who has served in Parliament since 2009 and is exiting at the end of this term, emphasised the need for a “combative” leader to ensure the NPP Caucus makes its voice heard in the next Parliament.
“Where we are now, we can never influence decisions; at best, we will get 91 looking at all that is made, and we cannot change any decisions, but our voice must be very loudly heard in and out of the chamber,” he said.
“What it requires is somebody who is strong and hot-headed and willing to stand the heat,” he added.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin, a three-term MP for Effutu, served as Deputy Majority Leader until February 2024, when he was elevated to the position of Majority Leader by the leadership of the NPP.
