Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has assured the new Majority Leader, James Agalga, of his support in Parliament, but says his ultimate objective is to transform the Minority Caucus into the Majority.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, August 27, after Agalga formally assumed the Majority Leader position, Afenyo-Markin said he would not obstruct his counterpart but would instead provide an alternative perspective on government business.
“I am saying that you can find in me a friend. My job is not to obstruct you. My job is to offer a different lens to things you may not see,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin also promised to approach parliamentary debates with extensive research, stressing that his role as Minority Leader was to scrutinise government decisions and offer alternative positions.
“I can promise you a well-researched dossier for all my debates. That I can promise you,” he added.
Despite the conciliatory tone, Afenyo-Markin made it clear that his support for Agalga would not diminish the political objective of the Minority Caucus.
He said his primary responsibility was to strengthen the Minority and ultimately secure a majority in Parliament.
“My job really, my job really is to turn this Minority into Majority. That really is my job,” he stressed.
He subsequently cautioned Agalga against attempts to weaken or infiltrate the Minority Caucus as he begins his tenure as Majority Leader.
Agalga officially assumed the position of Majority Leader following a communication from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announcing changes to the leadership of the NDC Parliamentary Caucus.
The changes followed the nomination of former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
