The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Richard Acheampong, has publicly criticized the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accusing him of displaying arrogance and failing to adopt a consultative approach to leadership.
Acheampong’s remarks came after the Majority caucus petitioned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to recall Parliament for urgent legislative business.
The petition emphasizes the need to convene Parliament to approve several key initiatives, including tax exemptions for the One District, One Factory (1D1F) project, a $250 million facility for the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and the passage of several other pending bills.
In an interview with Citi News, Acheampong, who also represents Bia East, emphasised the importance of collaborative leadership, urging Afenyo-Markin to avoid what he described as a dismissive attitude.
He suggested that Afenyo-Markin’s current approach may stem from misguided advice, which, Acheampong believes, is undermining effective leadership.
“You have a budget to present. You have tax exemptions and other businesses to be conducted in the House. And these are the statements that we are having, you have to reach out. Talk to people. Go on your knees. Beg them because this 8th Parliament is a very unique one because the NDC doesn’t have any interest in sabotaging government business.
“And I don’t know who is advising the Majority and now Minority Leader, [Alexander] Afenyo-Markin. Though I don’t speak for the Speaker, you can get 82 Members of Parliament to sign the petition to recall Parliament. What if that same day, the Speaker also decides to adjourn the House, sine die again? What would you do? He [Afenyo-Markin] is not taking advice. He is being so arrogant and I don’t know what kind of leader he wants to be.”
