The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged young people to demand greater accountability from government, arguing that unfulfilled campaign promises have deepened public frustration.
Addressing students at the University of Cape Coast during the inauguration of a seven-member executive of the Young Commons Forum (YCF) chapter, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said many Ghanaians—particularly the youth—were still waiting for tangible outcomes from pledges made during the last election cycle.
He cited promises related to job creation, women-focused financial initiatives and improvements in cocoa producer prices, contending that these had yet to materialise in ways that significantly improve livelihoods.
The Effutu Member of Parliament criticized what he described as a preoccupation with slogans, including the “24-hour economy” agenda, instead of direct interventions to address pressing concerns such as the rising cost of living.
“The government talks about elections but hasn’t addressed the rising cost of living,” he told participants at the “UCC Summit,” an event designed to inspire innovation, civic responsibility and leadership among students.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin encouraged members of the Young Commons Forum to take active roles in public discourse and policy engagement, stressing that leadership is shaped by dedication and hard work rather than background.
“Your background does not matter; what matters is industry, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit,” he said, urging the new executives to create platforms that empower other young people to participate in governance and national development.
President of the YCF UCC Chapter, John Noble, echoed the call for practical action, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among policymakers, economists and innovators to drive youth development initiatives.
He noted that translating policy vision into measurable outcomes was essential for sustainable progress.
The event concluded with the Student Representative Council of the University of Cape Coast presenting a citation to Mr. Afenyo-Markin in recognition of his service and contributions to national development.
