The Minority Caucus in Parliament is all fired up after a strategic workshop to agree on what systems and policies to adopt to make the side more effective in the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic which officially commences tomorrow, Tuesday, October 21, 2025 as announced by Speaker Alban Bagbin.
The Minority Caucus, on Thursday held the said strategic workshop where it resolved to tighten its internal unity and be a responsible side that holds government to the task in the national interest of Ghana rather than individual or other parochial interests.
Leader, of the side, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in his address at the strategic workshop expressed appreciation and admiration for the work his Caucus members have done so far to keep government on its toes.
The Minority Leader was quick to add that the task ahead is a great one and the commitment from his side should remain constantly high.
Afenyo-Markin noted: “Our journey will not be without obstacles. There will be tough debates and tight votes ahead. But I am confident that if we stay true to our values, the work we do in this Third Meeting and beyond will lift our country to higher heights. Together, we will prove that opposition a strength that keeps the nation on course. Together, we will do our part to build a Ghana that remains a beacon of freedom, unity, and prosperity for Africa and for the world.”
He explained further: “Each of us has sworn an oath to defend the welfare of the Ghanaian people. That oath must come before all else. We must be loyal to the truth, even when it is inconvenient. Loyal to our constituents, even when they demand difficult changes. Loyal to the national interest, especially when partisan temptations beckon. Such loyalty means we do not waver in speaking up for what is right, and we do not break faith with the people who placed their trust in us. If we in the Minority stay loyal to our principles and to one another, then no amount of pressure or privilege can divert us from the path that serves Ghana”, Afenyo-Markin noted. \
He continued: “Above all, our work must be guided by a sense of national responsibility. Every decision we make, every stance we take, should answer one fundamental question: Does this serve the people of Ghana? We are here to advance the welfare of all. We are here to construct a future that is brighter for the next generation. National responsibility means that when the government pursues a policy that benefits Ghana, we can support it in good conscience and when the government errs or strays, we oppose firmly but fairly, with the nation’s welfare in mind. It means remembering that beyond the partisan contests of today, we will all, together, face the judgment of history. Someday, future generations will look back on this Ninth Parliament and ask; did we act only as politicians, or did we act as patriots? Let our answer be that we chose what was right for Ghana, even when it was hard. Let it be said that we kept faith with Ghana’s destiny when it mattered most.
“Colleagues, being in opposition is not always easy. The days are long, the victories sometimes few, and the setbacks can be discouraging. But I am convinced that there is no more important job in our democracy right now than the one we have. We serve as the eyes, the ears, and the voice of millions who might otherwise go unheard. We ensure that alternative ideas are put on the table, that mistakes are corrected before they become history’s regrets. In doing so, we do more than challenge the government, we strengthen the government, because a government that is rigorously kept on its toes is one that will serve the people better in the end.
“Our charge, then, is to carry out our duties with a spirit of optimism and determination. We have to be robust in our oversight and demand transparency and accountability. In doing so, we also have to strive to inspire hope. We should remind the nation that even as we point out what is going wrong, we never lose sight of what can be made right. We should offer the people a vision of governance that is honest and compassionate, a vision that they can choose in the future. By our conduct, let us show every Ghanaian watching that politics can be an honorable calling of service, that Parliament can be a place of dignity and courage.”
