Afenyo-Markin’s First Political Coup: The Unseating of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as Majority Leader

In a stunning turn of events within Ghana’s parliament, the Honorable Member of Parliament (MP) for the Efutu Constitiency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has orchestrated a calculated political move that has led to the removal of the MP for Suame constituency, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu as the Majority Leader of the House. Afenyo-Markin, known for his strategic acumen and political wit, navigated the complex landscape of parliamentary dynamics to successfully position himself for this decisive coup.

Insiders have described the move as a ‘masterpiece’. According to sources, the political maneuvering began quietly, with Afenyo-Markin garnering support from key stakeholders within the ruling party and reaching out to disenchanted members of the majority caucus. Through a combination of backroom negotiations, coalition-building, and careful cultivation of alliances with regional caucuses, he laid the groundwork for a ‘low-key’ challenge to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s leadership.

As tensions simmered and internal divisions came to the fore, Afenyo-Markin seized the moment to make his move. In a dramatic showdown during one of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary caucus meeting, he allegedly rallied support from a significant bloc of fellow lawmakers to successfully make a case for the removal of Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

As things turned out Afenyo-Markin was on Friday, February 23, 2024 officially named the new role of Majority Leader. His ascension to this influential position marks a significant shift in the power dynamics within the leadership of the ruling party in parliament as it sets the stage for a new chapter in the country’s political landscape.

As Afenyo-Markin takes the reins of leadership, the nation watches closely to see how his vision and agenda will influence and shape the future direction of governance and policymaking. The fallout from this ‘political coup’ is sure to have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s parliamentary dynamics and the broader political ecosystem.

Who is Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin?

Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin is a Member of the Parliament of Ghana (MP) for the Effutu constituency, Central Region. Until recently, he served on the Committee of Defense and Interior, and Finance Committee of Parliament.

He was born on May 27, 1978, and hails from Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana.

He studied Law at the University of Buckingham, LLB/mgt, (2003-2006), Ghana School of Law, Barrister at Law Cert.(2007-2009), University of Bradford, M.A. Int. Politics & Sec(2009-2010).

He worked as a Principal Postal Officer at the Ghana Post Company Limited from 1999 to 2003, Excel Courier Ghana Limited as the Director between 2004 and 2011. He was also an Associate at Dehenya Chambers from 2010 to 2016.

Afenyo-Markin in 2012 contested in the Parliamentary elections against Mike Allen Hammah and won.

In 2014, he was appointed the chairman of the Ghana Water Company. It was alleged to have caused the GWC financial loss and the collapse of the company. He later filed a defamation suit for this claim.

Afenyo-Markin together with Abdul-Aziz Ayaba Musah, Johnson Kwaku Adu, Laadi Ayii Ayamba and Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah were sworn in during the Extraordinary Session 2021 of the Parliament of the ECOWAS which happened in Freetown in Sierra Leone 2021.

Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh