AFENYO-MARKIN: "GHANAIAN BUSINESSES HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN YOU"

The Minority Leader, *Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin*, has accused government of losing the trust of businesses and Ghanaian workers, citing job losses, tariff hikes, and the cancellation of the *One District One Factory* initiative.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2026, during debate on the *Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the 2026 Budget*, Afenyo-Markin said the government has failed to provide policy alternatives after scrapping key programs.

*"You're the organization. Ghanian businesses have lost confidence in you. You cancel the 1D1F which was creating opportunity for the private sector. In it place no policy alternative,"* he stated.

He also criticized rising electricity costs and job losses in the public sector.

*"Electricity tariffs have gone up over almost thirty percent. Then you get up and say you are promoting 24-Hour Economy. You have sacked public sector workers. Many of the Ghanian youth lost their jobs. You sacked them,"* Afenyo-Markin told the House.

The Minority Leader said government should focus on restoring jobs instead of asking for praise.

*"Today you are here. Instead of promising to restore them into their rightful places in the job market you are not doing so. Then you come you say we should praise you. Who is going to praise you?"* he asked.

Afenyo-Markin further alleged that funds are being used to pay only party members while ordinary citizens suffer.

*"If you don't pay and you are holding the money and then you are there tightening belt and only paying your party members then we should praise you. We are not interested in the books. We are interested in the economy in our pockets. People are suffering Mister Speaker. People need jobs,"* he said.

He also claimed government backbenchers are struggling.

*"Your youths even your MPs they are praising you here. A lot of them are hungry. Your backbenchers. They can't go back home. Your backbenchers. And you hear you say we should praise you. We'll not praise you. It is the same old story,"* Afenyo-Markin stated.

The Minority Leader, *Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin*, has warned the government that it risks going into opposition in 2028 if it fails to change course, while demanding the release of what he described as "political prisoners."