Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin is the Minority Leader in Parliament
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has defended the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) frequent use of press conferences to communicate issues.
According to him, they are necessary tools for an opposition party to communicate its concerns to the public.
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Responding to criticisms that the Minority has resorted to holding too many press briefings, Afenyo-Markin explained that procedural limitations in Parliament make it difficult for the Minority to consistently raise issues on the floor of the House, compelling them to explore alternative avenues to bring national concerns to public attention.
“Well, in opposition, you have your various tools. Once those tools are being deployed within the confines of the practices, the rules and conventions, I think it is what it is. You see, we are 87.
“The Speaker of Parliament is a senior and a leading member of the NDC and sitting there, his job is to protect his party and his government,” he said on the GTV Breakfast Show on Friday, January 30, 2026.
He further pointed out that with the NDC holding a commanding majority in Parliament, the Minority often finds it hard to start debates or raise important issues.
“You have the Majority – 189. Now, bear in mind that any access we seek on the House floor must go through the Speaker. So, if you don’t use some other means to bring to the fore the issues you hold so dear to yourself, you may be found wanting,” he indicated.
Citing specific parliamentary procedures, Afenyo-Markin noted that motions and questions submitted by Minority MPs are subject to approval and scheduling, which, according to him, can be influenced by the government’s comfort level with the issues being raised.
“I’ll give you an instance. Look, if you file a motion, the Speaker must approve. If he doesn’t approve the motion, you can’t even take it. If you file a question, the question would have to be approved and the question must be programmed. If the government is so uncomfortable with it, there’s a way. I’ve been a Majority Leader before. I know some of the strategies,” he explained.
Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin added that he understands the dynamics at play, having previously served as Majority Leader himself, and acknowledged that such tactics are part of parliamentary practice.
“And when Ayariga is deploying it, I don’t really complain. The Speaker himself has been a Minority Leader, Majority Leader before so when he is deploying some of those skills to frustrate me, I understand. … So, sitting there, you don’t expect me to wait for spoon-feeding opportunities. I have to find means of getting critical issues out there,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, defended his caucus’s approach, saying press conferences remain a legitimate democratic way to communicate with the public and hold the government accountable.
“So, if my critics think that too many press conferences (sic), these are democratic bona fides. We shouldn’t exercise them to the extent that we are acting lawful? And bear in mind, one thing very unique about us is that we don’t go personal,” he insisted.
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He concluded, “We raise the issues and I think we should be given credit for that. This NPP Minority, we always focus on the issues and deal with them. We don’t go attacking personalities and all that.”
MAG/AE
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