A political analyst and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Jonathan Asante Otchere, has said he thinks Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the new Majority Leader, is too young to assume the role.
According to him, “having considered the age of the Minority Leader for example and that of his (Afenyo-Markin) age, I was thinking that he was too young to occupy such a position especially looking at the experience of the predecessor.”
Speaking with Beatrice Adu on 3FM’s Midday News Friday, February 23, 2024, the UCC lecturer said he was expecting the Majority to go for someone with more experience.
He, however, indicated that Mr. Afenyo-Markin feels he has done a little too early to be accorded the position, especially with the choice of the Minority in perspective.
“So, I was thinking that they could have gone for a more experienced person but it appears that he has done so well in terms of the standing orders of Parliament and so I think that in one way or the other he feels that he has done a little too early but if you look at the decision of the NDC, we can equally accept,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, Mr. Afenyo-Markin has said he never expected to become the Majority Leader.
During his initial address in Parliament as leader of the Majority caucus Friday, February 23, he stated that the turbulences he has had to face in life gave him no hope of assuming the role of Majority Leader in the House of Legislature.
“I never saw it coming. My journey in life has been very terrible and sometimes it’s as if there is not going to be light at the end of the tunnel,” he told the House.
Prior to speaking in Parliament, the Effutu MP had expressed his belief in the steps of the caucus being guided by God.
On his way to the chamber after the NPP National Council affirmed his role, he told TV3’s Komla Klutse in an exclusive interview that things would be restored to their respective positions to propel the caucus.
“God is our guide, all things will fall in place,” he said.
Members of the National Executive Committee who met in Accra on February 23 affirmed his nomination as the replacement for Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who resigned on February 21 during a meeting between the Majority Caucus and President Akufo-Addo.
Meanwhile, National Organiser of the party, Henry Nana Boakye, after the meeting announced the new leadership.
“…so, I can confirm that from today’s emergency National Council meeting, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin is now the Majority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa is deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Frank Annoh Dompreh, he was the Chief Whip, he is the MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, then Hon. Habib Iddrisu, he is still the First Deputy Whip. He is the MP for Tolon and then we have a new addition, Hon. Alexander Tetteh is also the 2nd Deputy Whip. He is also from Akontombra in the Western North region,” he noted.
