At the 2025 Kwahu Business Forum, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, delivered a strong message urging Ghana to break away from partisan-driven development practices and embrace a merit-based system that supports all youth, regardless of political affiliation.
In his address on Saturday, April 19, Afenyo-Markin warned that the growing trend of political favoritism in youth empowerment initiatives risks undermining Ghana’s potential to build a truly inclusive and innovative economy.
“Young people in this country must not be made to believe that their future depends on party loyalty,” he said. “It must depend on their talent, their hard work, their creativity.”
He challenged stakeholders to foster a culture of fairness and competition, where opportunity is given based on capability and contribution, not party colours. According to him, a shift toward meritocracy is essential to unlocking the full potential of Ghana’s youthful population and ensuring long-term national development.
“Progress is born out of competition. Let the best ideas rise, let the most competent individuals lead, and let opportunity be available to those who deserve it—not just those who are politically aligned,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
His remarks struck a chord with the forum’s broader agenda of rethinking Ghana’s development approach in a rapidly evolving global economy. As the country looks for innovative solutions to its youth unemployment challenge, the Minority Leader’s call resonated as a timely reminder of the importance of equitable governance and inclusive policy-making.
The Kwahu Business Forum continues to serve as a national thought leadership platform, bringing together policymakers, private sector leaders, and civil society to explore strategic pathways for economic transformation in Ghana and beyond.
