Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged Ghanaians—especially the youth—to embrace purposeful living, national service, and spiritual grounding in the wake of two devastating national tragedies.
Delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour at the 19th Biennial Connexional Conference of the Methodist Youth Fellowship held at the Winneba Methodist Church, the MP used the occasion to highlight the sobering lessons from the recent military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region and a fatal road accident in Juaso.
The two separate incidents have left the country reeling. The helicopter crash claimed eight lives, including two Cabinet Ministers, while the Juaso accident led to the deaths of 16 young members of the Saviour Church.
“Permit me to begin with a moment of honour in memory of the eight distinguished Ghanaian public servants, patriots and leaders who tragically lost their lives,” Afenyo-Markin said solemnly. “Their sudden passing is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgency of purposeful living.”
He continued, “True greatness lies not only in position but in faithful service to God and country. I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the 16 Saviour Church Youth. May their souls rest in perfect peace.”
Rather than focusing solely on the tragedies, Afenyo-Markin used the platform to challenge the Methodist youth and Ghanaians at large to re-evaluate how they live, lead, and serve. He urged the youth to commit themselves to principles of integrity, unity, and nation-building, stressing that life’s unpredictability calls for deliberate and meaningful action.
“These moments call us not only to mourn, but to reflect deeply on how we spend our time, use our talents, and build our communities,” he added.
The Minority Leader’s message was one of both mourning and motivation — a blend of empathy for the bereaved and encouragement for the living to serve with purpose and faith. His remarks struck a chord with the hundreds of youth gathered at the Methodist Church, many of whom had come to the conference seeking spiritual renewal and direction.
As the nation continues to grieve, Afenyo-Markin’s call for reflection, unity, and service adds to the growing chorus of leaders encouraging Ghanaians to draw strength from collective grief and channel it into building a more purposeful future.
