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Tag: Afenyo-Markins

  • Let’s see how you finance “nkokɔ nketenkete” if you repeal taxes – Afenyo-Markins tells Mahama

    Let’s see how you finance “nkokɔ nketenkete” if you repeal taxes – Afenyo-Markins tells Mahama

    Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has challenged President-elect John Dramani Mahama’s plan to repeal taxes.

    John Mahama has pledged to remove several taxes within his first 100 days in office, arguing that they place an undue burden on Ghanaians.

    He also pledged that the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration would establish poultry farm businesses for party members.

    Building on this, the Effutu MP appeared to dare Mahama, suggesting that removing these taxes would make it nearly impossible for him to deliver on his promise of establishing poultry farm businesses for party members.

    “You say you are going to reduce taxes. You are going to repeal the betting tags, the E-levy, you are going to repeal all these taxes. You are going to reduces the taxes at the port. We wonder where you will get the money to implement the “nkokɔ nketenkete” to wit chickens” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.

    Expressing Similar sentiment, Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, raised concerns about how the incoming Mahama administration will generate revenue for development if it removes all the taxes it has promised to abolish.

    “You say you are going to remove tax A, B, C, D. But where is the money going to come from?,” Joe Jackson quizzed.

    Watch video below:

  • You are a good guy, but too partisan – Mogtari tells Afenyo-Markin

    You are a good guy, but too partisan – Mogtari tells Afenyo-Markin

    Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Aide to the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has called on the recently transitioned Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to adopt a more humble approach in his political and public affairs.

    Reacting to the events of October 17, 2024, when Afenyo-Markin was swiftly shifted from Majority Leader to Minority Leader, Bawah Mogtari posted on X, stressing the significance of humility in leadership and cautioning him against allowing pride to influence his political conduct.

    “When God blesses you very early in life, be humble; know that there are many people around, some even more capable than you and even others far better than you who were probably not chosen. Each time God promotes you, take it in all humility and respect. You are a good guy, but too partisan, and the way you disrespected and disparaged Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was very low, even for you! Take a few lessons from this experience, sir,” the former Deputy Minister of Transport wrote on her X page.

    On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, who transitioned from Majority Leader to Minority Leader in Parliament, surprised listeners and viewers during a live radio and TV interview by insisting that he be introduced by his previous title.

    Until that day, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament had been the Majority Caucus in the 8th Parliament of Ghana, but within moments, they became the Minority side following a significant announcement. This dramatic shift occurred after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared four seats in the House vacant.

    This decision stemmed from actions taken by the NDC MPs, who invoked Article 97 [1(g) & (h)] of the 1992 Constitution. This article stipulates that a member must vacate their seat if they change party allegiance or if an independent member joins a political party.

    The transition was led by Haruna Iddrisu, following the nomination of Agona West and Suhum MPs, both NPP members, to contest the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections as independent candidates. Additionally, the independent MP for Fomena has also filed to contest as an NPP candidate, while the Amenfi Central MP from the NDC is running as an independent.

    In response to these developments, Afenyo-Markin announced that he had filed an injunction application with the Supreme Court regarding the Minority’s attempts to declare the seats of independent candidates vacant. During an interview on Joy FM and Joy News, he voiced his disappointment over not being addressed by his former title.

    Here’s how the exchange unfolded during the live interview:

    “… Let me hear how you introduce me again.”

    The journalist responded, “Okay, so we have Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, on the line.”

    The MP, obviously not happy, responded: “You either do the right thing or I just go off.”

    “Okay, so I have the Majority Leader on the line, Alexander Afenyo-Markin; is that okay?” the journalist asked.

    The MP then retorted, “Young man, how do you do your journalism? You will introduce someone properly. You don’t make these things for me to remind you and all that. What do you gain from it? Is it okay for us to have a banter?”

    The journalist responded, “No, no. I only said I have the Majority Leader…” the MP swiftly interjected, saying, “You started with I have Alexander Afenyo-Markin, then you said MP for Effutu, then I had to remind you. Please, let’s do the right thing. Is that okay? So, do the right thing and let’s proceed.” The journalist then said, “Okay, please forgive me. So, let me bring in Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.”

    A now satisfied Afenyo-Markin then responded, “Yes, sir, good evening to you; thanks for having me.”

  • Call parliament back into session – Afenyo-Markin petitions Bagbin

    Call parliament back into session – Afenyo-Markin petitions Bagbin

    Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has formally requested Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to reconvene Parliament.

    This request comes in response to the Majority caucus’s dissatisfaction with the Speaker’s decision to adjourn the session indefinitely on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

    In a letter dated Wednesday, July 31, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the necessity of resuming parliamentary sessions to address pressing government issues.

    These include discussions on the Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association, tax exemptions for beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme, the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and various bills.

    Afenyo-Markin reminded Speaker Bagbin that Parliament was adjourned sine die on July 30, 2024, when these critical items were scheduled for consideration.

    He stressed that the urgency of these matters demands that Parliament reconvene to fulfill its constitutional duties and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.

    “Mr Speaker will recall that Parliament adjourned sine die on Tuesday, 30 July 2014, at which time the aforementioned items had been duly advertised and scheduled for consideration. The urgency of these matters necessitates our reconvening to fulfil our constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.”

    “We wish to emphasise that this requisition is made in the utmost good faith and in the national interest, to enable the Government to discharge its constitutional and democratic obligations to the people of Ghana.

    “The matters outlined herein are of pressing importance and require the urgent attention of Parliament,” he added.

  • Focus on economic development, not tax waiver amounts – Afenyo-Markins tells minority

    Focus on economic development, not tax waiver amounts – Afenyo-Markins tells minority

    The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has argued that concerns over the tax waivers granted to certain companies are misguided.

    The Effutu MP believes that the emphasis should be on the economic benefits these waivers bring rather than the sums involved.

    He made these remarks in response to the Minority in Parliament’s objections to the waivers.

    Afenyo-Markin suggested that fixating on the specific amounts of the waivers is an oversimplification and misrepresentation of the incentives’ true purpose and impact.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ AM show on Monday, he said, “Countries are competitive for investments, and they have all manner of incentives to attract people to bring capital. We are talking about post-Covid entrepreneurial decisions. Entrepreneurs would have to take decisions as to which country they would go to. You go to Qatar today, in their free zone their policy on foreign direct investments is so attractive.”

    “Tax wavers, for the first ten years, you are not supposed to pay tax on profit and all. You have that space. Now this government introduces one district, one factory. The aim of it is to create a space for businesses to thrive. If you give that incentive, that money, that capital is invested in the business. That is why I am saying, do not quantify it, that ‘oh, the government is giving tax incentives of three hundred million, oh, that money could have been used for something else’. You will get it wrong”.

    The Majority Leader of Parliament emphasized the significance of offering tax incentives to businesses in Ghana, highlighting the necessity for patience as companies advance through various development stages.

    The Effutu MP endorsed the government’s decision to grant tax waivers to 42 businesses, arguing that these incentives are essential for fostering expansion and exploration in the Ghanaian market.

    “In my own constituency, an Indian company has established a tissue factory, the first of its kind in West Africa, and this tissue factory is going to produce the raw material base for all the tissue companies. You know the tissue companies we have in Ghana; they all import the pulp, the jumbo; they come and cut it and all. This company is going to produce it, and they got attracted to Ghana because of the one district and one factory.

    “They are almost 60% done, and we are all in parliament dragging our feet. There are many companies going through the same thing. I am feeling it because if this company is completed, they will start employing my people. The companies that are importing would not have to import, so the pressure on the Cedi would go down, and if they had those tax incentives, they would be able to do their phase two and employ more,” he noted.


    In 2021, the Ministry of Finance began the process to secure about $335,072,712.13 in tax exemptions for 42 companies under the government’s One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative.

    The Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083), was introduced to Parliament by the former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in 2022.

    Notably, Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited is requesting the largest exemption amount, totaling $164,633,012.00.