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