Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Richard Acheampong, has openly criticized Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accusing him of arrogance and a lack of collaborative leadership.
Acheampong’s comments followed the Majority caucus’s petition to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, requesting a recall of Parliament for urgent legislative work.
The petition highlights the need to approve critical measures, including tax exemptions for the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, a $250 million facility for the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and other pending bills.
In an interview with Citi News, Acheampong, who represents Bia East, stressed the importance of cooperative leadership and urged Afenyo-Markin to avoid a dismissive attitude.
He also suggested that Afenyo-Markin may be receiving poor advice, which, in Acheampong’s view, is hindering effective leadership.
You have a budget to present. You have tax exemptions and other businesses to be conducted in the House. And these are the statements that we are having, you have to reach out. Talk to people. Go on your knees. Beg them because this 8th Parliament is a very unique one because the NDC doesn’t have any interest in sabotaging government business.
“And I don’t know who is advising the Majority and now Minority Leader, [Alexander] Afenyo-Markin. Though I don’t speak for the Speaker, you can get 82 Members of Parliament to sign the petition to recall Parliament. What if that same day, the Speaker also decides to adjourn the House, sine die again? What would you do? He [Afenyo-Markin] is not taking advice. He is being so arrogant and I don’t know what kind of leader he wants to be.”
