The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has launched a blistering critique of President John Dramani Mahama’s first 120 days in office, describing the period as “120 days of bitter governance” and a “great deception” by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking at a press conference at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) headquarters in Accra yesterday, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said President Mahama had marked his own “script” and awarded himself accolades in a self-congratulatory tone, despite failing to fulfil the “sacred promises” he made in the run-up to the 2024 general election.
“Candidate John Mahama marketed his ‘First 120 Days’ social contract as a hardcoded, time-bound pledge to the people. But what we’ve seen instead is betrayal — the taxes remain, illegal mining persists, contractors remain unpaid, and industries continue to collapse,” the Minority Leader said.
He described Mahama’s inauguration promises of a “national reset,” truth-telling, and decisive governance as nothing more than “a political bait and switch.”
Among the unfulfilled pledges he cited were the ban on illegal mining, increases in cocoa prices, and the rollout of a 24-hour economy, mass job creation, and improved industrialisation.
“Promises have collapsed. The excuses have run dry. Ghanaians were not given a reset — they were sold recycled failure,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated.
Executive Lawlessness
The Minority Leader accused President Mahama of constitutional breaches, including failing to ensure that his appointees declared their assets before taking office, as mandated by Article 286 of the Constitution. Instead, he said, the President imposed “a bizarre punishment” of salary forfeiture without legal or institutional oversight.
Illegal Mining
He again criticised the President’s silence on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which he said had intensified under the NDC’s short reign. “Our rivers run red, our forests are torn apart, and there is no state of emergency in sight,” he said, adding that deporting foreign nationals caught in galamsey instead of prosecuting them betrays campaign promises.
Dismissals and Partisan Recruitment
The Majority Leader condemned what he called the “massacre of livelihoods,” alleging that civil servants, nurses, and teachers employed under the previous administration have been dismissed without cause. “This is not inclusiveness — it is ideological cleansing,” he said.
Energy Crisis
In a scathing analogy, Mr. Afenyo-Markin referred to the worsening power outages as “Dumsor Pro Max,” stating that President Mahama has failed to address the power crisis effectively. “Where is the Energy Minister?” he quipped. “We’re using flashlights to look for him.”
Judicial Interference and ‘Court Packing’
He also accused the Mahama administration of undermining judicial independence, including efforts to force out the Chief Justice and push through seven “hand-picked” Supreme Court appointments without due process. “This is not reform — it is court packing disguised as democracy,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.
Threats to Free Speech
The Minority Leader indicated that dissenting voices, including journalists, labour unions, and opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), are being silenced through intimidation, state security raids, and online harassment. “The return of iron-fist governance is here,” he warned.
Third-Term Agenda
Mr. Afenyo-Markin said there are ongoing internal efforts within the NDC to engineer a constitutional change that would allow President Mahama to seek a third term. “Ghana is not a monarchy. We will not be ruled for life,” he said, vowing that the Minority will resist any unconstitutional reforms.
The Minority Leader called on Ghanaians and Parliament to reject what he termed “the lame-dark days” of the Mahama administration, asserting, “The clock has run out. Accountability must take centre stage.”
He pledged that the Minority in Parliament would stand firm to oppose any attempts to subvert the constitution or democratic institutions.
“We are wide awake. We will fight every illegality in Parliament. This is not just a press conference — it is a call to defend the Republic,” he intimated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu