Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has explained why he adopts a calm demeanor outside Parliament but appears more aggressive during parliamentary debates.

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According to him, his assertive nature in Parliament is a deliberate strategy to defend the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government from relentless opposition attacks.

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Speaking on The KSM Show, the Effutu legislator recounted how his role in Parliament evolved over the years, shaping his public persona.

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"I started as a backbencher in 2013, but I was soon moved to the middle bench because the party needed people to push back against the opposition," he explained. He noted that during his early years in Parliament, his responsibility was to engage in rigorous advocacy for the party while in opposition.

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Even after the NPP assumed power, Afenyo-Markin said he had to maintain his combative stance, despite not securing a leadership role. "If you don't push back, your back will always be against the wall. That was my assignment, and I played my part," he emphasized.

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His transition into a leadership role as Deputy Majority Leader further reinforced his approach. He credited then-Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu for preparing him for major parliamentary debates.

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"He understood procedure and the rules, but he needed my legal advocacy skills, so we worked on debate strategies together," he disclosed.

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Afenyo-Markin also acknowledged that his intense parliamentary demeanor has drawn criticism. "Some say I’m boisterous, and I accept that because it was a necessary role," he admitted.

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Explaining the dynamics of parliamentary debates, he pointed out the strength of the opposition, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC). "The NDC is a grassroots party with roots in the revolution, while the NPP is more middle-class. If you take a gentlemanly approach with them, you’ll remain in opposition forever. You have to know when to negotiate, when to hit back, and when to hold back," he remarked.

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Reflecting on the previous parliamentary term, Afenyo-Markin highlighted the intense battle between both sides, given the 137-137 equal split in seats. He praised the resilience of NDC MPs, including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Alhassan Suhuyini, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, and Mahama Ayariga, describing them as a formidable force.

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"On any given day, about 10 NDC MPs would be attacking the government, setting all kinds of political agendas. Many of our strongest men were in government, and others didn’t have the same energy to match the opposition. I was often left to take them all on alone. So if I seemed boisterous, it was because the situation demanded it," he stated.

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Afenyo-Markin maintained that his approach was crucial in countering the NDC’s aggressive tactics, ensuring that the NPP government was not drowned out in parliamentary debates.

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