The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that he had no reservations accepting the outcome of the 2024 general elections, which led to his transition from Majority Leader to Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament.
He made the remarks during a courtesy call by a United States Congressional delegation on the Parliament of Ghana, where discussions centred on democratic governance, institutional stability, and bilateral cooperation.
Afenyo-Markin used the engagement to reaffirm Ghana’s democratic credentials under the Fourth Republic, noting that since 1993 the country has consistently undergone peaceful electoral transitions between the two dominant political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“Our journey, Ghana, since 1993, has been successfully conducted through elections, multiple transfers of power through democratic transitions, re-enforcing our own reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies. So there was no problem at all accepting defeat and becoming a minority leader when I previously was a minority leader.” he said.
Ghana continues to be widely recognised as one of Africa’s strongest democracies, particularly following the swift concession of defeat by former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 elections, one which has been lauded as prudent in allaying fears and making the post-election peaceful.
The election outcome reshaped Parliament, reducing the representation of the New Patriotic Party from 137 seats in the 8th Parliament to 89 seats in the 9th Parliament, altering the balance of power and positioning Afenyo-Markin in his current role as Minority Leader.
The 2024 general elections was widely described by observer missions as peaceful and competitive except for pockets of violence that characterized the collation in various polling stations, causing declaration of results for those constituencies to protract.
The polls attracted strong national participation and resulted in a clear parliamentary and executive outcome that triggered an orderly transition of power in line with the country’s Fourth Republic democratic tradition, which has consistently recorded peaceful transfers of authority since 1992.
The Minority Leader also described the visit as timely, noting that parliamentary democracy remains a critical pillar for international cooperation and institutional strengthening. He further highlighted Ghana–U.S. relations, particularly cooperation in peacebuilding, security, trade, education, and democratic governance across the African continent.
The U.S. Congressional delegation, led by Congressman Vern Buchanan, commended Ghana’s democratic record and described the country as a beacon of stability in a region increasingly affected by military coups and constitutional disruptions.
The delegation reiterated the importance of continued partnership with Ghana to advance shared development goals and strengthen democratic institutions. It also noted that the visit formed part of efforts to engage with Ghanaian parliamentary leadership, exchange governance experiences, and explore ways to deepen longstanding relations between Ghana and the United States.
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