Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has dismissed President John Dramani Mahama’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) as rhetoric-driven, accusing the government of failing to deliver tangible economic relief and job opportunities for Ghanaians.
Addressing journalists in Parliament shortly after the President’s message last Friday, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the address resembled a political campaign speech rather than an honest account of national conditions.
He argued that the presentation created the impression that responsibility for current economic challenges lay elsewhere, despite the administration having been in office for over a year.
Central to the Minority’s critique was the government’s handling of cocoa pricing. The Effutu Member of Parliament (MP) recalled that while in opposition, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had promised to raise the cocoa producer price to GH¢6,000 per bag.
Instead, he said, farmers were confronted with reductions that had worsened their livelihoods.
According to him, the government attempts to justify the decision by citing international market conditions were inadequate, insisting that state buffers exist precisely to shield farmers during downturns.
He maintained that cocoa farmers deserved support rather than what he described as a “haircut” on their earnings, and urged authorities to honour earlier commitments.
The Minority Leader also challenged government claims of easing the tax burden, pointing to what he described as new levies and rising utility costs.
He cited the introduction of an energy sector reform levy on petroleum products and increases in electricity tariffs, arguing that households and businesses were experiencing significant cost pressures.
In practical terms, he said, electricity purchases now lasted far shorter periods than before, reinforcing public perceptions of worsening affordability.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further questioned the implementation of the much-touted 24-Hour Economy policy, stating that the President’s address provided little clarity on progress made.
Instead, he alleged that job losses across some state-owned institutions had undermined employment prospects for young people, while the discontinuation of the One District One Factory initiative had not been matched with alternative industrial policies.
On illegal mining, the Minority Leader expressed skepticism over the government’s renewed pledge to target kingpins, arguing that similar assurances had yet to translate into decisive action.
He contended that the operations of the Gold Board lacked clear regulatory direction to ensure only legally mined gold entered official channels.
While acknowledging stabilisation measures cited by the President, Mr. Afenyo-Markin maintained that many of the foundations for currency and reserve stability predated the current administration, crediting policies associated with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He also criticised what he described as inadequate investment in agriculture, referencing the sector ministry led by Eric Opoku.
The Minority Leader concluded that the government’s narrative of recovery did not align with everyday experiences of rising living costs and limited job creation, promising that the caucus would soon present a detailed assessment of what it termed the “true state of the nation.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House