President John Dramani Mahama’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, which was given in Parliament on Friday, February 27, has drawn criticism from Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the minority leader in Ghana’s legislature.
Speaking right after the president’s speech, Mr. Afenyo-Markin charged that the government was celebrating a year in power with little more than catchphrases and no noteworthy tangible accomplishments.
He emphasised that one of the biggest burdens on regular people is the rising cost of electricity.
“What the President failed to tell the people of Ghana is that one year into government, he is still acting with slogans and no concrete actions. Electricity tariffs have skyrocketed, and Ghanaians cannot afford electricity,” he stated.
Concerns regarding youth employment were also voiced by the Effutu MP, who said that the Chief of Staff’s dismissal letters had caused thousands of young people to lose their jobs, which increased unemployment.
He also cautioned about a new problem with security service hiring.
“As we speak, there is a scandal looming in security services recruitment. We know who brought that company to the ministry. Karma has a way, and we, the minority, will pursue the person and ensure full disclosure,” he said.
Regarding agriculture, Mr. Afenyo-Markin addressed cocoa growers, highlighting a decline in producer prices and denouncing the seeming lack of industry leadership.
“Mr Speaker, the cocoa farmers, their producer price has been reduced, and Eric Opoku cannot be found. They don’t care about cocoa farmers, yet they are here talking about inflation and macroeconomics,” he reiterated.
He also discussed the persistent issue of unlawful small-scale mining, or “galamsey,” arguing that despite government pledges to toughen enforcement, it still harms communities and the environment.
He stressed, “Mr. Speaker, galamsey continues to cause suffering for Ghanaians, and we expect concrete measures to be taken.”
The Minority Leader acknowledged that the president had noted certain economic advances, but he credited the previous administration’s policies for some of these gains.
He notably urged for appropriate acknowledgement and gave former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia credit for the Gold-for-Reserve scheme.
“Our elders say give credit where credit is due. Mr President spoke of some gains today; those gains come from the Gold-for-Reserve policy. What the government failed to tell Ghanaians is that Bawumia is the brain behind this policy. I urge the government: give Bawumia what belongs to Bawumia,” he stated.
“The president is telling us today that some gains have been made… through this Gold-For-Reserve policy,” he added, reinforcing the argument.
He went on: “Mr. Speaker, the Gold-For-Reserve policy what they have failed to tell Ghanaians is that the Bawumia that they attacked is the brainchild of this policy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would want to urge the government to give to Bawumia what belongs to Bawumia,” he said in closing.
In the upcoming months, the opposition will continue to scrutinise the administration’s performance on economic management, job creation, agricultural, and environmental protection.
The remarks were made in the midst of a heated parliamentary climate that included symbolic protests by some opposition MPs.
Source: newsthemegh.com