The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to use the periods of Lent and Ramadan to reflect on how to strengthen the main opposition party again and recapture power in the 2028 general election.
He urged the party faithful to put aside their disappointment in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections and focus on rebuilding the party for future success.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin said even though it was difficult to accept the crushing defeat of the NPP in the last elections, the party supporters should not lose hope, emphasising that with hard work they will be rewarded in the end.
There appears to be some cracks in the NPP following the electoral defeat in the 2024 elections, with accusations flying on traditional and social media in expression of grievances.
However, in a social media post on Friday, on the occasion of Lent, Minority leader Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the widespread disappointment but encouraged members to remain steadfast.
“I know that we are all heartbroken, we are all disappointed, we are all depressed, and not happy about the outcome of the elections.
“But that was yesterday, today is another day. The way to prepare for the future is hard work, forgiveness, and a collective determination to sacrifice for the good of the party,” he stated.
Special prayers
Calling for spiritual and personal reflection, Osahen Afenyo-Markin encouraged both Christian and Muslim members of the main opposition party to use their faith to guide them through this difficult time.
“As Christians, let’s use this period to reflect. Reflect on our higher selves. Go deep into our inner being. And come out with a new beginning.
“For our colleagues who are Muslims who are also doing their fasting, use the Ramadan period to reflect deep and I’m sure at the end of it, we’ll come out with a new result to tide through the storm,” he urged.
Despite the challenges, the Minority leader remains optimistic about the NPP’s chances in the next elections stating, “We can make it. I know we can make it happen.”
Learning from history
The Minority Leader cited historical precedents, citing how the National Democratic Congress (NDC) rebounded from its electoral losses to recapture power in 2024.
“Our friends in the NDC who are celebrating victory today have been where we are. In 2016, we all recall what happened to them, but they didn’t give up. Today, they have an overwhelming majority in Parliament,” he stressed.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin also referred to NPP’s own struggles in 1996 when it secured only 61 parliamentary seats but managed to turn the tide within four years to reclaim victory.
Despite the electoral setback in the 2024 election, the Minority Leader reaffirmed that the party’s foundation remains strong.
“All we have is the legacy of Akufo-Addo and by extension, the foundation that was laid in the John Kufuor era. These are the combined legacies that as a party we will stand on come 2028,” he stated.
He urged members to remain respectful in their criticisms of party leadership and grassroots supporters.
Eschewing internal bickering
Osahen Afenyo-Markin who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu in the Central Region, cautioned against public outbursts and internal bickering, admonishing that criticisms should be managed within party structures rather than aired on social media, radio, or television.
Acknowledging concerns about the electoral outcome, Osahen Afenyo-Markin reminded members that the National Council had mandated the Professor Mike Oquaye committee to review the party’s performance.
“Let’s all patiently wait for that day. And when the report comes, we deal with it internally,” he urged.
