Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, delivered a powerful message of renewal and recommitment to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the launch of the Patriotic Institute in Accra. He emphasized the importance of returning to the party’s core values and ideological foundations, arguing that personal ambitions should take a backseat to the collective good. Afenyo-Markin’s speech served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations for the party, urging current members to reflect on that legacy and prioritize principled leadership.
The launch of the Patriotic Institute, Afenyo-Markin explained, is not merely a response to the NPP’s 2024 electoral defeat but a crucial step towards ideological rejuvenation. He stressed the institute’s pivotal role in anchoring party members, particularly parliamentarians, in the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition of development in freedom. He underscored the institute’s potential to equip future leaders with the intellectual tools and skills needed for effective and principled public service, fostering a deeper understanding of the party’s philosophical underpinnings. The institute, he believes, will serve as a training ground for future leaders, grounding them in the values and ideology of the party, and preparing them for the responsibilities of public office.
Afenyo-Markin shared personal anecdotes about his family’s unwavering loyalty to the NPP during challenging times, highlighting the tangible sacrifices they made. He recounted how his mother lost her job, his stepfather faced professional setbacks, and his father was forced into exile due to their political affiliations. These personal experiences served to underline the depth of commitment and resilience demonstrated by party members in the past. He contrasted this with the current political landscape, suggesting that a sense of entitlement and personal gain has overshadowed the spirit of selfless service.
He criticized the tendency to view political office as a personal reward, arguing that this mindset undermines the party’s core values. He called for a shift in perspective, emphasizing that holding office should be seen as a sacred responsibility, requiring a deep understanding of the party’s principles and a commitment to serving the public good. The Patriotic Institute, he proposed, will be instrumental in instilling this sense of responsibility in future leaders and ensuring they are well-versed in the party’s ideology. He further stressed the need for a more substantive understanding of the party’s history and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of grounding political action in well-defined principles.
Afenyo-Markin also addressed the concerning trend of online attacks, particularly from younger party members targeting senior figures. He urged the youth to engage in respectful dialogue and constructive criticism rather than resorting to personal attacks on social media. He called for a return to a more respectful and dignified form of political discourse, emphasizing the importance of internal unity and respectful engagement, especially within the party’s ranks. This, he suggested, is crucial for rebuilding trust and fostering a more collaborative environment within the party.
Concluding his address, Afenyo-Markin expressed confidence in the NPP’s ability to recover from its recent electoral setback. He drew an analogy to the mighty elephant, capable of rising again after stumbling. He emphasized the importance of strategic planning and a clear vision for the future, emphasizing the need to return to the party’s core mission. The Patriotic Institute, he believes, will play a pivotal role in this revitalization process by equipping future leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of modern governance and champion the party’s values effectively. He envisioned a renewed and reinvigorated NPP, guided by its core principles and prepared to effectively serve the nation.
