Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin has intensified pressure on the government over what he describes as pressing national challenges, including Ghana’s recurring power outages, alleged GoldBod and Bank of Ghana losses, and concerns over the administration of justice.
Speaking on the recall of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin said the country was facing challenges that required urgent parliamentary attention. He congratulated James Agalga on his elevation to Majority Leader and Mahama Ayariga on his nomination as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The Minority Leader said the Minority would engage the new Majority Leader constructively while maintaining firm scrutiny of government policies that affect the livelihoods of Ghanaians. He also indicated that Mahama Ayariga’s ministerial nomination would receive close parliamentary scrutiny, particularly regarding his record and proposed approach to sanitation.
Afenyo-Markin Raises Concerns Over Power Outages
A major issue highlighted by the Minority Leader was Ghana’s electricity supply and the recent nationwide power interruptions.
According to Afenyo-Markin, Ghana experienced two nationwide power outages within one month, on July 29 and August 20, with the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) describing the incidents as power system disturbances.
He said the August 20 power outage, reportedly associated with a fault on the Akosombo-Volta transmission line, affected homes, hospitals, businesses and other essential facilities for several hours.
Afenyo-Markin rejected what he considered inadequate explanations from government agencies, arguing that disruptions to the national electricity grid should be treated as a serious national security and economic concern.
He said the Minority would use Parliament’s procedures to demand that the Minister for Energy appear before the House to explain the causes of the power outages and measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents.
The Minority could also push for a parliamentary inquiry into Ghana’s recent power system disturbances.
Minority Questions Handling of Justice
Afenyo-Markin also accused the government of what he described as the “weaponisation of justice.”
He alleged that prosecutorial and judicial processes were being selectively applied against opposition politicians and former officials of the Akufo-Addo administration, while cases involving government allies were being discontinued through nolle prosequi applications.
He cited the case involving Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, as one of the cases that had raised concerns about the application of justice.
The Minority Leader also mentioned a controversial warrant issued during the judicial vacation, noting that the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.
Responding to extortion allegations against him, Afenyo-Markin said he had filed defamation suits at the Accra High Court and Achimota Circuit Court. He maintained that allegations against public officials should be addressed through due process rather than political rhetoric.
COCOBOD Reforms Come Under Scrutiny
The Minority Leader further raised concerns about ongoing reforms in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
While acknowledging reforms being undertaken by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Afenyo-Markin criticised what he described as insufficient consultation with Licensed Buying Companies and haulage operators.
He particularly questioned proposed requirements that, according to him, could restrict cocoa farmers from changing the use of their land without government approval and introduce registration requirements before cocoa can be sold.
Afenyo-Markin argued that the measures would represent a significant departure from established practices in Ghana’s cocoa industry. He therefore called for a motion of rescission to give Parliament more time to examine the reforms before presidential assent.
Minority Promises Stronger Parliamentary Accountability
Afenyo-Markin concluded by reaffirming the Minority’s commitment to holding the government accountable.
He said the Minority would not be intimidated by threats or attempts to silence opposition voices. He challenged Parliament to determine how history would judge the House if it failed to investigate the reported GH¢22 billion in losses, accepted what he described as inadequate explanations for nationwide power disruptions, or allowed the justice system to become an instrument of political intimidation.
The Minority Leader stressed that the formal notices concerning the reported GoldBod losses and power outages marked only the beginning of the Minority’s accountability efforts.
The development is expected to place renewed focus on Ghana’s electricity supply, GoldBod operations, Bank of Ghana-related financial concerns, judicial processes and ongoing cocoa sector reforms as Parliament resumes deliberations.
Source: newsthemegh.com