News:
January 27, 2026
The Minority Leader, Alexander Kamena Afenyo-Markin, has stated that all 87 Minority lawmakers will rally behind whoever is elected as the party’s flagbearer on January 31, 2026. He emphasized their commitment to presenting a united front ahead of the 2028 elections.
According to Afenyo-Markin, MPs supporting various presidential aspirants have campaigned with decorum, understanding that this is an internal party contest. “In politics, things get heated, but soon after, we come together,” he noted.
His comments came in response to questions from GhanaMPS.com about how the Minority would coalesce after the primaries, given pointed remarks made by some MPs.
Afenyo-Markin further contrasted the situation within his New Patriotic Party (NPP) with that of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). “The NDC is busy talking about us, forgetting they have their own impending leadership contest. When it’s not their turn, they focus on us, but in their case, it’s worse,” he said.
“For us in the Minority, after January 31st, 2026, we will support whoever is elected and work together to project the party,” he affirmed. “If we are not careful, by mid-year, President John Mahama could become a lame-duck president because everyone in his party is struggling to become flagbearer.”
He then listed several NDC figures he said are positioning themselves for a run, highlighting internal divisions:
* Chairman Asiedu Nketia is on what he calls a “thank you tour,” which is essentially a flagbearer campaign.
* The party seems to have its own preferred candidate, separate from the presidency’s choice.
* Vice President Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang is reportedly interested and may pick the Education Minister as a running mate.
* The Chief of Staff is also said to be considering a bid, with the Party’s General Secretary as a potential running mate.
* The Majority Leader is another alleged aspirant, possibly eyeing the Foreign Minister as a mate.
* The Finance Minister and Agriculture Minister are also rumored to be interested. Of the latter, Afenyo-Markin quipped, “When he was in opposition, he talked a lot. Now, the money needed to strengthen the agricultural sector is a problem for him.”
Shifting focus back to his own side, the Minority Leader praised the quality of his caucus. He stated that the NPP has become a formidable opposition in Parliament because of their strong debates. He expressed confidence in the party’s future, particularly because of its first-term MPs.
“It’s reassuring that the NPP has a future. In time, it will be difficult to make selections for leadership roles because all of them are competent and have what it takes to deliver,” Afenyo-Markin concluded.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/GhanaMPS.com