Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has struck a conciliatory tone towards newly appointed Majority Leader James Agalga, promising to support him in Parliament while maintaining his ambition of turning the Minority Caucus into the parliamentary majority.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, August 27, Mr Afenyo-Markin said his approach to the new Majority Leader would be based on constructive engagement rather than obstruction.
He said his responsibility as Minority Leader was to provide alternative perspectives on government policies and decisions, particularly on issues he believed the Majority might overlook.
“I am saying that you can find in me a friend. My job is not to obstruct you. My job is to offer a different lens to things you may not see,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also pledged to bring extensive research to parliamentary debates, saying the Minority would subject government business to rigorous scrutiny while presenting alternative policy positions.
“I can promise you a well-researched dossier for all my debates. That I can promise you,” he added.
Despite the cordial message, the Minority Leader made it clear that cooperation with Mr Agalga would not translate into abandoning the political ambitions of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus.
He said his central task was to strengthen the Minority and position it to eventually take control of Parliament.
“My job really, my job really is to turn this Minority into Majority. That really is my job,” he stressed.
Mr Afenyo-Markin subsequently cautioned Mr Agalga against any attempt to weaken the Minority Caucus or attract its members to the Majority side.
Mr Agalga formally assumed the Majority Leader position on Thursday following a communication from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announcing changes to its parliamentary leadership.
The reshuffle followed the nomination of former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The change places Mr Agalga at the centre of the Majority’s parliamentary leadership, while Mr Afenyo-Markin begins a new phase of opposition leadership focused on holding government accountable and rebuilding the Minority Caucus.
