Systems Over Stars: Afenyo-Markin Calls for an End to Personality-Driven Governance
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has made a compelling case for a paradigm shift in Ghana’s governance, calling for “architecture-driven development” to replace the personality-led politics that often hampers long-term progress.
Speaking at a high-level public lecture in Parliament on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Minority Leader addressed the recurring issue of policy volatility.
The lecture, titled “Center Left and Center Right: Formulating Policies that Serve a Growing Democracy,” served as a platform to advocate for a national strategy that survives the transition of power between political parties.
Afenyo-Markin argued that Ghana’s democratic maturity depends on its ability to build institutions that “discipline ambition.”
He cautioned against the habit of incoming administrations dismantling the work of their predecessors, noting that this cycle creates uncertainty for both citizens and investors.
He stated that Ghana must move away from personality-driven policy and instead build systems that outlive specific administrations, harmonizing ideological differences within a shared constitutional purpose.
The Minority Leader emphasized that ideological differences between the center-left and center-right should be used to refine existing policies rather than act as a reset button for the country’s direction.
According to him, the ultimate goal of any administration should be predictability and sustained transformation over short-term political gains.
He noted that if this succeeds, citizens will experience continuity rather than volatility, and the investment climate will thrive on predictability.
Concluding his address, Afenyo-Markin reminded policymakers that the ultimate metric of a successful democracy is its ability to provide tangible benefits.
He stressed that democracy must expand freedoms, widen opportunity, and generate sustainable prosperity for both the present generation and posterity.
The lecture forms part of an ongoing national dialogue on governance and policy direction as Ghana continues to navigate complex economic and democratic reforms.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
About Author
