Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has underscored the dire consequences of growing frustrations and disillusionment among the masses, particularly the youth in the country.
He warned that such sentiments have led to significant social and political unrest elsewhere.
Citing the recent Gen Z activism in Kenya as an example, Afenyo-Markin stressed the urgent need for proactive and comprehensive measures to address public discontent.
In a statement delivered to Parliament on Wednesday, July 3, Afenyo-Markin lamented how preoccupation with political manoeuvring has blinded the political leadership to the reality of public expectations.
“Let us all recommit to a national agenda that not only leverages the potential of our youth but also unlocks the massive development potential often associated with the demographic dividend,” he stated.
According to him, Ghana has long been celebrated as a beacon of democracy and stability in Africa, a testament to the resilience of her institutions and the activism of the political class.
He, however, noted that this reputation is now at risk due to detrimental political dynamics and youth disillusionment.
He said, “The political class is increasingly consumed by a desire to outdo each other, leading to measures aimed more at undermining opponents than fostering national progress.”
He emphasized that while the political elite focuses on electoral battles and building political capital, a significant portion of the population, including the youth, is being left behind.
“Consequently, the demographic potential of our youth, often praised as a critical driver of development, remains largely untapped. Entrepreneurship and employment opportunities are scarce, and even those few opportunities face challenges.”
“Our artisans, often criticized for their work attitudes, are losing jobs in the construction sector to artisans from neighbouring countries, even for basic tasks we once took for granted,” he lamented.
Afenyo-Markin pointed out that the potential for entrepreneurship is further diminished as people increasingly prefer to invest in the money market, deterred by the prevailing work attitudes from setting up businesses.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to address these challenges through social intervention programs, Afenyo-Markin stressed that these initiatives alone are insufficient without the united support of the political class.
He stated, “The government has significantly addressed these challenges through social intervention programs. However, these initiatives alone, without the united support of the political class, may fall short of delivering the comprehensive results needed, resulting in counterproductive outcomes to our reasonable gains over the years.”
The Majority leader urged his colleagues to prioritize national progress over political manoeuvring.
According to him, it is imperative that the political class collaboratively take proactive and comprehensive measures to address the underlying causes of public discontent to prevent such scenarios in Ghana.