Afenyo-Markin’s troubling conduct – Ghana Enterprise Information
It does appear like the minority chief within the present Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has launched into a mission not according to what needs to be constructing the nation’s democracy.
He should know that, within the nation’s wealthy political historical past, the nation has witnessed each triumphs and tribulations in its quest for a consolidated democracy. From the euphoric moments of independence underneath Kwame Nkrumah’s management in 1957 to the tumultuous durations of army rule and instability, the nation’s democratic journey has been a twisting path, paved with issues and hard-won victories.
It is towards this backdrop that latest actions and statements of Afenyo-Markin, have to be examined. His dismissive perspective in the direction of the ruling NDC’s parliamentary majority and his accusations of scheming towards the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kingsford Alban Sumana Bagbin, have raised alarm bells amongst these dedicated to upholding democratic ideas and fostering a tradition of political tolerance.
Afenyo-Markin’s description of the NDC’s formidable majority, bolstered by the help of unbiased MPs, as “so-called” is a blatant disregard for the desire of the voters. With 183 seats, the NDC instructions a majority that surpasses the two-thirds threshold, a actuality that Afenyo-Markin appears unwilling to just accept. This dismissive rhetoric not solely undermines the legitimacy of the ruling get together but additionally strikes on the coronary heart of democratic ideas, disregarding the constitutional proper of tens of millions of Ghanaians to form the political panorama by their collective vote.
Sadly, Afenyo-Markin’s disparaging feedback are paying homage to a time when his get together, the NPP, held a razor-thin majority of only one seat within the earlier parliament. Back then, he and his colleagues reveled of their standing because the “majority,” regardless of the slimmest of margins. However, now that the tables have turned, Afenyo-Markin finds himself unable to increase the identical courtesy and respect to the NDC’s clear mandate, a obtrusive show of hypocrisy.
Besides, Afenyo-Markin’s statements relating to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Bagbin, additional compound considerations about his dedication to democratic ideas. On one hand, he professes his love and reverence for the Speaker, likening him to a father determine, whereas on the opposite, he accuses NDC MPs of scheming towards Bagbin’s reelection. This dichotomy of phrases and actions raises questions on Afenyo-Markin’s true motivations and the sincerity of his professed allegiance to the Speaker, an important determine in upholding the integrity of Parliament’s proceedings.
During the contentious saga surrounding vacant seats in Parliament, Afenyo-Markin’s conduct was equally regarding. He compelled the Speaker to recall Parliament, solely to refuse to attend the very session he had demanded, citing spurious “spiritual” causes for not occupying the minority seats. This selective software of ideas and handy invocation of spirituality undermine the integrity of his place and the credibility of his arguments, additional eroding public belief within the democratic course of.
Afenyo-Markin’s conduct stands in stark distinction to that of his predecessor, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who was extensively revered for his capability to barter with opposing sides and defuse tensions. This shift in management fashion has ushered in an period of confrontation and polarization, the place compromise and dialogue take a backseat to political grandstanding and ego-driven posturing, threatening to unravel the fragile cloth of Ghana’s democratic establishments.
The ramifications of Afenyo-Markin’s actions lengthen far past the confines of Parliament and the political enviornment. His phrases and conduct set a harmful precedent for future generations, normalizing disrespect for democratic processes and establishments. Young Ghanaians, who needs to be impressed by the ideas of civic engagement and public service, could as an alternative witness a distorted picture of management, the place private ambition supersedes the higher good and democratic norms are handled with disdain.
Moreover, Afenyo-Markin’s conduct threatens to erode the general public’s belief within the democratic system itself. When these entrusted with upholding the ideas of fine governance resort to petty politicking and divisive rhetoric, it undermines the very basis upon which a useful democracy rests. This erosion of belief can have far-reaching penalties, fueling disillusionment and apathy among the many voters, and probably paving the best way for anti-democratic forces to achieve traction.
It is crucial that Afenyo-Markin, and all those that maintain positions of management, acknowledge the burden of their phrases and actions. They have a duty to uphold the very best requirements of conduct, foster an surroundings of respectful discourse, and function ambassadors for the democratic beliefs which have formed Ghana’s political panorama. Rather than dismissing the mandate of the ruling get together or participating in baseless accusations towards their counterparts, Afenyo-Markin and his colleagues ought to embrace the spirit of cooperation and statesmanship. Constructive criticism and strong debate are hallmarks of a wholesome democracy, however they have to be grounded in info, cause, and a real dedication to the higher good.
The folks of Ghana deserve higher than political posturing and divisive rhetoric. They deserve leaders who prioritize the nation’s pursuits over private ambition, who respect the democratic course of and its outcomes, and who work tirelessly to bridge divides and discover frequent floor. As a nation that has skilled the devastating penalties of political instability and authoritarian rule, Ghana’s residents have a deep appreciation for the hard-won freedoms and democratic rights they now get pleasure from. They deserve leaders who will safeguard these beneficial properties, not undermine them by reckless rhetoric and self-serving actions.
As Afenyo-Markin navigates his position as Minority Leader, he would do nicely to heed the teachings of historical past and the knowledge of those that have come earlier than him. Ghana’s political panorama is dotted with the legacies of leaders who sacrificed and fought tirelessly to ascertain and protect the nation’s democratic establishments. Figures like Jerry John Rawlings, who performed a pivotal position in Ghana’s transition to democratic rule within the Nineties, acknowledged the significance of robust establishments and respect for the desire of the folks, at the same time as they navigated the advanced terrain of political opposition.
Rather than perpetuating a cycle of acrimony and confrontation, Afenyo-Markin ought to try to be a unifying drive, a voice of cause that transcends partisan strains, and a champion of the democratic values which have formed Ghana’s journey. Only then can the audacity of his actions be tempered by the humility and knowledge befitting of a real chief – one who acknowledges that the mantle of management is a sacred belief, and that the way forward for a nation rests upon the shoulders of those that wield it responsibly.
As Ghana continues to chart its course within the ever-evolving panorama of democracy, the actions of leaders like Afenyo-Markin will probably be scrutinized and analyzed, not simply throughout the confines of the current but additionally by the lens of historical past. Will he be remembered as a drive for unity and progress, or as a divisive determine who contributed to the erosion of democratic norms? The selection lies in his palms, and the results of his actions will reverberate by the annals of Ghana’s political historical past, shaping the nation’s democratic journey for generations to return.
By Innocent Samuel Appiah
