A prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Amoako Baah, has urged the party not to consider Alexander Afenyo-Markin for the position of Minority Leader in Parliament again.
Speaking on Accra based starrfm monitored by Kumasi mail, the former head of history and Political Science department at KNUST, appointing the Effutu MP to this role would effectively reward what he described as a lackluster performance during Afenyo-Markin’s tenure as Deputy Majority Leader.
This advice comes amidst growing calls from certain NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) for Mr. Afenyo-Markin to lead the party in the 9th Parliament.
Key figures such as First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, parliamentary committee chairpersons, and Deputy Minority Chief Whip Ahmed Ibrahim have all advocated for Afenyo-Markin to maintain a leadership position within the NPP caucus.“I strongly believe in longevity and experience,” Joseph Osei-Owusu (Joe Wise) stated. “Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stood out distinctly as both Minority Leader and Majority Leader, and this was no accident.”
Adding to the chorus, the NPP women’s caucus has thrown its weight behind retaining current leaders. Ablekuma North MP Sheila Bartels appealed to party leadership to maintain Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei as Deputy Leader and elevate Afenyo-Markin as leader of the caucus.
However, Dr. Amoako Baah, speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, expressed strong reservations. He argued that Afenyo-Markin’s tenure has not demonstrated the leadership needed to advance the party’s agenda.
“If you are in opposition and work hard, you can earn a promotion to Majority Leader. But when you go from Majority to Minority, it indicates a failure to lead effectively. It doesn’t make sense to keep someone in charge after such a performance,” Dr. Baah remarked.
He further dismissed endorsements from members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Mr. Afenyo-Markin, insisting that the party’s internal priorities should take precedence.
“The NDC doesn’t have the NPP’s interests at heart. Their opinions are irrelevant. What matters is what will strengthen the NPP and move it forward,” he stated.
Dr. Baah questioned, what new strategies Afenyo-Markin could bring to the table, stating, “If your leadership approach didn’t work before, why should anyone believe it will succeed now?”
Source: www.kumasimail.com
