The Member of Parliament for Effutu in the Central Region and Minority leader in Parliament, Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, rubbished claims that the government is succeeding in its economic policies due to the recent appreciation of the cedi against the dollar.
Speaking on Badwam on Adom TV, Afenyo-Markin said the cedi’s appreciation is mainly being caused by the government refusing to spend any money, leading to a lack of ‘liquid’ capital in the system, rather than any good policies.
He alleged that major contractors are not being paid by this government.
“Do you know why the cedi is stable? The cedi is stable not because Dr Forson at the Finance Ministry is doing anything special, it’s because government is not spending,” Markin opined on Badwam. “It’s because contractors are not being paid, there is no ‘liquid’ circulating in the economy.”
Afenyo-Markin accused the government of spending money on frivolous things, such as paying for fuel for appointees and party officials rather than spending on the right priorities. “A lot of certificates have not been paid…They are refusing to pay private sector entities who have done work for the government,” he added.
The minority leader’s claim comes as the Ghana Cedi rallies against the dollar in recent weeks. From highs of Ghc 17 to a dollar during the election season in December, the currency is currently trading at around Ghc 13.65 to the dollar.
Meanwhile, Afenyo-Markin’s claims were ill-received by Ghanaians on social media, with many attacking the minority leader for spewing propaganda.
A political nuisance
The Effutu MP has found himself at the centre of multiple political storms in recent months since he lost his position as Majority leader due to the NPP’s loss in the 2024 Elections.
Most recently, Honourable Afenyo-Markin led a ‘Save the Judiciary’ demonstration to protest against the President for suspending the Chief Justice after it was established a prima facie could be brought against her.
The demonstration grabbed headlines after a confrontation between the legislator and a police officer. A video that appeared on social media appeared to show Afenyo-Markin assaulting the officer.
The Police Service wrote to the Office of the Speaker seeking permission to interrogate the MP, while Afenyo-Markin wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), alleging he was assaulted and seeking the launch of a full-scale investigation.
