The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has recommended that Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the current Majority Leader, retain his position as leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus in the ninth Parliament, which begins on January 7, 2025.
Describing Afenyo-Markin as “strong” and equipped with the “experience and longevity” to effectively lead the caucus, Osei-Owusu emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership.
He stated, “I strongly believe in longevity and experience. From our own actions and inactions, you can tell that when Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was the Minority Leader and then-Majority Leader, he stood out very clearly, but it did not happen by accident. He started as a chief whip and grew up to become a leader, as longevity brings experience and clarity.”
Speaking to the press in Parliament, the outgoing MP for Bekwai reiterated his call for Mr Afenyo-Markin to continue in his role, saying, “Let Afenyo-Markin continue again. If you ask me, let Afenyo-Markin continue. He started, and there is nobody who has had that experience before him. The only person who has had that experience is Honourable Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. He is leaving Parliament, and now [Afenyo-Markin] is the only person who has the sufficient—no, not even sufficient but—required experience.”
Osei-Owusu, who has served in Parliament since 2009 and is stepping down at the end of this term, underscored the need for a decisive and “combative” leader to ensure the NPP Caucus makes its presence felt in the next Parliament.
“Where we are now, we can never influence decisions; at best, we will get 91 looking at all that is made, and we cannot change any decisions, but our voice must be very loudly heard in and out of the chamber,” he explained.
“What it requires is somebody who is strong and hot-headed and willing to stand the heat,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin, a three-term MP for Effutu, served as Deputy Majority Leader until February 2024, when he was elevated to Majority Leader by the NPP leadership.
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