NDC must accept same scrutiny demanded under Akufo-Addo — Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to subject itself to the same level of public scrutiny it demanded of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration while in opposition.

His remarks follow criticism by the Minority of the government's handling of the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

The opposition has raised concerns over the reported GH¢49.72 million expenditure on the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians, pointing to alleged irregularities in payment records, duplicate entries and missing supporting documents. It has called for an independent audit of the exercise and demanded the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, warning that it could initiate a vote of censure if he remains in office.

In a Facebook post on Friday, October 30, the Effutu MP accused the NDC of abandoning the accountability principles it vigorously promoted during its eight years in opposition.

He argued that the party could not insist that scrutiny of government decisions was a democratic responsibility when the NPP was in power and now portray similar demands as politically motivated attacks.

“The NDC spent eight years teaching Ghanaians that questioning government was patriotism. Today, the same people appear offended that Ghanaians have taken those lessons seriously,” he wrote.

Afenyo-Markin further questioned why the expectations of accountability appeared to have changed following the change in government.

“Apparently, accountability was a democratic virtue when the NPP was in power, but it has suddenly become political persecution now that the NDC occupies the seat of government,” he said.

He recalled how the NDC, during its time in opposition, scrutinised government contracts, challenged appointments, questioned public spending and demanded explanations for policy decisions and campaign promises.

According to him, the current administration should not expect to be treated differently, insisting that demanding transparency is part of the democratic process rather than an attempt to undermine those in authority.

“Public office is not a personal possession; it is a public trust. Holding office does not grant anyone immunity from criticism. Questioning a contract is not a personal attack on the person who approved it. Demanding transparency is not an expression of hatred. Asking government to honour its promises is not an attempt to undermine it. It is simply democracy at work,” he said.

The Minority Leader said the opposition would maintain its oversight role by examining government contracts, scrutinising public expenditure and assessing the administration's performance against its promises.

“The Mighty Minority will continue to read the documents, examine the contracts, question public expenditure, and measure government promises against actual performance,” he said.

He maintained that the NDC must be prepared to meet the same accountability standards it expected the NPP to observe while in government.

“The standard members of the NDC demanded when they were in opposition should be the same standard they must live by, and we, the Mighty Minority, will not renege,” he added.