The Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, delivered on Friday, February 27 in Parliament.
Speaking immediately after the president’s presentation, Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the government of marking one year in office with little beyond slogans and no significant concrete achievements to show for it.
He highlighted rising electricity tariffs as a key burden on ordinary citizens.
“What the President failed to tell the people of Ghana is that one year into government, he is still acting with slogans and no concrete actions. Electricity tariffs have skyrocketed, and Ghanaians cannot afford electricity,” he said.
The Effutu MP also raised concerns over youth employment, alleging that thousands of young people had lost their jobs through dismissal letters issued by the Chief of Staff, contributing to heightened unemployment.
He further warned of an emerging issue in recruitment for the security services. “As we speak, there is a scandal looming in security services recruitment. We know who brought that company to the ministry. Karma has a way, and we, the minority, will pursue the person and ensure full disclosure,” he stated.
On agriculture, Mr Afenyo-Markin focused on cocoa farmers, pointing to a reduction in producer prices and criticising the apparent absence of sector leadership.
“Mr Speaker, the cocoa farmers — their producer price has been reduced, and Eric Opoku cannot be found. They don’t care about cocoa farmers, yet they are here talking about inflation and macroeconomics,” he said.
He also addressed the ongoing problem of illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, insisting that it continues to cause hardship for communities and environmental damage despite government commitments to stronger enforcement.
“Mr Speaker, galamsey continues to cause suffering for Ghanaians, and we expect concrete measures to be taken,” he emphasised.
While acknowledging certain economic improvements mentioned by the president, the Minority Leader attributed some of these gains to policies from the previous administration.
He specifically credited the Gold-for-Reserve programme to former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia and called for proper recognition.
“Our elders say give credit where credit is due. Mr President spoke of some gains today; those gains come from the Gold-for-Reserve policy. What the government failed to tell Ghanaians is that Bawumia is the brain behind this policy. I urge the government: give Bawumia what belongs to Bawumia,” he stated.
He reinforced the point by adding: “The president is telling us today that some gains have been made… through this Gold-For-Reserve policy.” He continued: “Mr. Speaker, the Gold-For-Reserve policy what they have failed to tell Ghanaians is that the Bawumia that they attacked is the brainchild of this policy.”
In conclusion, he urged: “Mr. Speaker, I would want to urge the government give to Bawumia what belongs to Bawumia.”The remarks, delivered amid a charged parliamentary atmosphere that included symbolic protests by some opposition MPs, signal continued opposition scrutiny of the administration’s performance on economic management, job creation, agriculture, and environmental protection in the coming months.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
