Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the minority leader, has harshly condemned the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the ruling party of betraying its values and acting hypocritically and with political double standards about changes made to the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill that Parliament passed.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, May 29, 2026, prior to the controversial bill’s passage, the Minority Leader recounted how the NDC, which had previously opposed any attempts to amend the original legislation while in opposition, had now reversed course and diluted important provisions after taking power.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, claims that the NDC Majority’s proposed modifications reveal what he called a stark inconsistency between the party’s past stance and its present course in government.
“Clearly, this evening, this country has witnessed an unprincipled political act by our friends in the Majority. They may try and act smart, but smartness does not last. Integrity lasts,” he said.
Despite reservations expressed by members of the then-New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority caucus, Osahen Afenyo-Markin insisted that when the law was first submitted in the Eighth Parliament, supporters within the NDC vehemently fought any suggestions for revisions.
He noted that the NPP brought up what it saw as problematic provisions and possible legal difficulties during the bill’s consultations.
But he recalled that the NDC side of the bill’s authors disregarded their worries.
“Today, as they take responsibility for governance, they realise that indeed the issues we raised are still critical,” he stated.
The Minority Leader claimed that the same party has now altered the identical legislation that the NDC had demanded former President Nana Akufo-Addo sign.
“The very law that they wanted Nana Akufo-Addo to sign, when they were faced with the same law, they amended and diluted that same law. Such a double standard does not pass for a man with principles,” he stated.
Drawing on literature, Osahen Afenyo-Markin stated, “The ravening clouds shall not long be victorious,” quoting the book “Weep Not, Child” by Kenyan novelist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. “They won’t have the sky for very long.”
The quote was a metaphor for his conviction that what he perceives to be political opportunism and inconsistency would eventually come to light.
He stated that the government’s actions and the choices made on the modified anti-LGBTQ legislation would ultimately be judged by history and future generations.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin said that political parties had to preserve coherence between their opposition and governmental stances.
“It is not enough to say one thing in opposition and, when you get power, change your stand thinking that nobody can read through it,” he stated.
The NDC was challenged by the Minority Leader to clarify the distinctions between the bill’s previous version and the amended version that was hurriedly approved last Friday.
He urged civil society organisations, religious organisations, and traditional leaders to compare the two versions and assess if the amendments had undermined the legislation’s original aim.
“Who in this country is the NDC trying to deceive? The religious leaders? Our chiefs? Our civil society?” he enquired.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin claims that the modifications imply that the administration acknowledges that the original measure included clauses that would have complicated presidential approval.
He contended, “I know that indeed President Mahama could not have signed that bill, and the NDC knows that they cannot present the same bill.”
He maintained that regardless of whether they are in charge or in opposition, leaders must adhere to the same values in order for democratic governance to function.
“Whether you are in opposition or in government, let us have some values,” he declared.
The Minority Leader stated that rather than being motivated by political expediency, the NPP’s objections to the modifications were founded in principle.
“We may be few, but we are armed with principle. We may not have the numbers to undo your actions, but we are principled,” he said.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin predicted that voters will eventually assess the government’s actions and cautioned that political expediency could have long-term repercussions.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin questioned aspects of the parliamentary procedure that led to the modifications in addition to the bill’s content.
He pointed out that several of the bill’s sponsors were not present throughout crucial parts of the proceedings and that motions pertaining to the legislation were made without the key sponsors’ direct involvement.
Several parliamentarians connected to the bill, including NDC MPs Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, Sam Nartey George, Naa Adoley Sowah, and Helen Adjoa Ntoso, were explicitly mentioned by the Minority Leader as being absent from the floor at crucial times.
He said that the lack of sponsors raised concerns about how the legislation-related motions were handled.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin said, “It is important to let Ghanaians know that at this critical stage, none of the NDC sponsors of this bill was in this chamber.”
He claimed that these changes showed a lack of dedication to the original ideals that the legislation’s backers had supported at the time of its introduction.
The Minority Leader took use of the occasion to criticise the NDC administration for allegedly breaking a number of campaign pledges in addition to the anti-LGBTQ bill.
Taxes, utility rates, job development, and recompense for clients who lost money on investments in bankrupt financial organisations were among the topics he mentioned.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin accused the government of adopting opposition stances that it subsequently renounced after taking office.
He brought up the dispute surrounding the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), claiming that although the NDC had strongly opposed the tax during its campaign, it later looked for alternative revenue strategies that imposed comparable burdens on citizens.
He declared, “You came and said you were repealing the E-Levy, yet you imposed the Dumsor Levy on Ghanaians.”
Osahen Afenyo-Markin asserted that despite assurances of respite, ordinary Ghanaians are now suffering increasing economic constraints, citing rises in water and energy rates.
The Minority Leader went on to critique the government’s job creation plan, claiming that promises to increase employment possibilities had not materialised.
“You said you were going to create one job, three shifts. Nothing,” he said.
The Minority Leader anticipated that in the end, voters would evaluate the NDC’s performance and decide if the party had kept its word.
He predicted that future elections will show the political fallout from the government’s choices.
He warned that political fortunes might shift quickly, saying, “2028 is not far away.”
Source: newsthemegh.com