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Young people are losing trust in political leaders – Afenyo-Markin
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has warned that young people in Ghana are gradually losing trust in political leaders, a situation he believes could threaten the country’s democracy if not addressed.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), the Minority Leader commended the organisation for its contribution to strengthening democracy, stressing that civil society groups play a crucial role in Ghana’s governance.
He, however, disagreed with suggestions for the creation of a Second Chamber of Parliament, made up of chiefs or elites, to improve law-making.
According to him, Ghana as a unitary state does not need another chamber but rather more resources to strengthen the work of the existing Parliament and a more proactive Council of State.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin admitted that there was growing apathy and inertia in governance, saying many citizens viewed politicians as corrupt, while political leaders also failed to demand accountability from citizens.
This, he said, had created a cycle of impunity.
He cited past social intervention programmes, from the Rawlings Poverty Alleviation Fund through to Kufuor’s MASLOC, Mills, and Akufo-Addo’s empowerment schemes, explaining that most beneficiaries never paid back loans.
He said this culture of non-payment had turned such initiatives into political patronage, where citizens saw government support as free gifts.
Sharing his own experiences, the Minority Leader revealed that beneficiaries in his constituency often refused to repay loans for fishing, taxi operations, and small businesses, insisting they were “freebies.”
He described this as a national attitude problem that undermines development, warning that without a culture of responsibility, the country’s resources would continue to leak.
On the proposed 24-hour economy, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the idea was good for private sector growth but questioned how it would work if people still refused to repay funds or be accountable.
He also raised concerns about education and culture, criticising international schools for failing to teach Ghanaian languages. He said this created a disconnect between young people and their culture, noting that many final-year students he had interacted with were unaware of basic government structures, such as ministries and their functions.
The Minority Leader further expressed worry about the abuse of political power, where successive governments allegedly used power for revenge by dismissing public servants or even judges on partisan grounds. He cautioned that if such practices continued, future governments would repeat them, undermining the country’s democratic foundations.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin warned that young people were increasingly frustrated with the political class, both NPP and NDC, and that social media could amplify their anger to the point of rejecting democracy altogether.
He assured, however, that the Minority’s role was not to obstruct government but to provide constructive criticism and work together to build stronger democratic institutions. Having served in government before, he said he understood its challenges and preferred collaboration over conflict.
He urged CDD to continue its advocacy despite criticism, and called on political actors to avoid vindictiveness, protect national institutions, and make democracy more attractive for the youth.
By Jacob Aggrey
A new international whitepaper on democracy in Africa has placed Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at the centre of a major research study on the role of opposition parties in strengthening democratic governance across the continent.
The study is being conducted by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana.
It uses Ghana’s 2025/2026 parliamentary session as a case study to examine how opposition parties can contribute to peace, development and democratic stability.
President of the ACCP, Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, said the research forms part of a wider continental project aimed at identifying successful governance models in Africa.
He explained that the chamber is interested in promoting positive African stories and finding practical democratic systems that other countries can adopt.
Mr. Dwomoh-Doyen said political differences should not create division or hostility among leaders and citizens.
He stated that despite belonging to different political sides, people must work together in the interest of national development.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey and parliamentary system made the country an important case for the study.
The whitepaper, titled “A Strong and Responsible Opposition in Africa: A Ghanaian Case Study (2025/2026 Review)”, reviews the Minority Leader’s parliamentary activities, including his statements, motions and media engagements.
Researchers are also conducting public opinion surveys in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of the study.
Head of ACCP’s Liberia branch, Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, said African countries should formally recognise and support the office of the Leader of the Opposition through legal structures and institutional resources.
He noted that such systems would help reduce the chances of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Head of Research at ACCP Ghana, David Adofo, described Ghana’s opposition institution as one of the strongest in Africa.
He said although the current research focuses on Ghana, future studies would examine opposition institutions in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Tegha King, stressed the importance of a responsible opposition in national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he said opposition parties should not be seen as enemies of progress.
According to him, respectful debate, alternative policy ideas and cross-party dialogue are necessary for strong democratic institutions and national peace.
The research comes at a time when some African countries are experiencing political instability and military takeovers.
Despite these challenges, Ghana continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s stable democracies, having recorded several peaceful transfers of power since 1992.
The completed whitepaper will later be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal, while the abstract has already been made available upon request.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NuGhana Expat Center to launch ‘AfroTango Platform’ to support diasporans in Ghana and Africa — Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang
The Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the organisation is preparing to launch the “AfroTango Platform” to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa.
According to him, the platform is intended to help diasporans navigate African systems, which many often find difficult to understand after relocating from Western countries.
“The AfroTango Platform will provide a structured bridge, offering orientation, vetted service referrals, and a trusted community to help them integrate smoothly for business or relocation,” he said.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang made the disclosure while speaking about a proposal submitted by the NuGhana International Expat Center to the government of President John Dramani Mahama for the establishment of a specialised multi-agency Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Task Force.
According to their statement, the proposal has been submitted to the President and shared with key institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and the Black Star Experience Secretariat.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed task force would help protect diasporans and foreign nationals from organised fraud and exploitation while also helping the country benefit from their expertise, investments, and professional skills.
He noted that many diasporans relocating to Ghana often face challenges such as land disputes, business fraud, and difficulties finding trusted people to guide them through local systems.
President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who endorsed the proposal, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
According to him, the leadership of NuGhana understands the realities and expectations of diasporans because of their experience living in Western countries.
He appealed to the government to consider the proposal seriously, stating that it could help protect lives and investments while encouraging more diasporans to contribute to national development.
The statement identified key challenges facing diasporans, including organised land and business scams, the absence of a unified system to engage skilled professionals entering the country, and fears over investment security.
Some diasporans who spoke on condition of anonymity also welcomed the initiative and said a state-backed protection system would give them more confidence to relocate and invest in Ghana.
NuGhana said it has already built a human capital and risk database over the past four years to catalogue diasporans and foreign nationals according to their professions, skills, investment interests, and reported incidents.
The organisation added that it is ready to engage the President’s designated team to demonstrate its database and begin a pilot phase of the proposed framework.
By: Jacob Aggrey
