Minority Vows to Hold Government Accountable for Every Campaign Promise

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has strongly criticized the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the party of deceiving Ghanaians with exaggerated promises that were made to secure victory in the 2024 general elections.

This statement came during a debate on the second batch of President John Dramani Mahama’s ministerial nominees on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. In his remarks, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin took a swipe at the NDC’s election campaign rhetoric. While expressing his concerns about the governing party’s ability to deliver on its pledges, Afenyo-Markin made it clear that the Minority would hold the government accountable for every promise it made during the election period.

Afenyo-Markin questioned the NDC’s capacity to fulfill the high expectations it raised during the campaign, suggesting that the government’s recent electoral win should not be seen as a free pass to exercise unchecked power. He emphasized that while the NDC may have secured the presidency, the Minority would continue to hold the government to account by monitoring its actions and ensuring transparency and integrity in its dealings.

He accused the NDC of making unrealistic promises to the electorate, asserting that the government’s actions would soon reveal the true nature of their intentions. Afenyo-Markin pointed out that the promises made were highly unlikely to be met, warning that the public would soon be disillusioned when the ruling party fails to deliver on its electoral pledges.

The Minority Leader also made it clear that his caucus would not let the government off the hook. He indicated that despite the NDC’s claims of a significant electoral victory, the Minority would ensure that the government faced scrutiny throughout its tenure. He said, “We will hold your feet to the fire,” signaling that his caucus would not allow the government to take its promises lightly.

“You think you campaigned and got it handed to you on a silver platter? You will see,” Afenyo-Markin continued, emphasizing that the NDC would soon face the full weight of opposition scrutiny. He addressed the NDC’s dismissive attitude toward the Minority, stating, “You call us a micro Minority, but you will see.”

Afenyo-Markin reassured the public that his caucus would remain vigilant and closely track the implementation of every promise made by the NDC during their campaign. He emphasized that, despite being in the minority, the opposition would ensure that the government did not sidestep its electoral commitments. The Minority Leader also made it clear that his party would relentlessly follow up on the promises made by the NDC, ensuring that the ruling party’s words were not forgotten or ignored once the campaign ended.

“Today, you are in government, and we will follow through on every single promise you made while on the campaign platform,” Afenyo-Markin asserted, underlining his party’s firm resolve to keep the government accountable for its actions in the coming years.

The Minority’s response comes at a time when expectations are high for the newly elected government to deliver on the promises that were a central part of their campaign. The NDC’s leadership has yet to respond to the allegations made by the Minority, but the opposition is clearly poised to challenge the government’s every move, particularly on issues related to its electoral pledges.

This confrontation between the governing NDC and the Minority in Parliament signals that the next few years in Ghana’s political landscape will be marked by strong opposition scrutiny and an intense focus on holding the government accountable for the promises made during the election period. The Minority’s stance is clear: despite being in the minority, they intend to ensure that the government remains true to its word and that its performance is scrutinized at every step.