The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has rubbished achievements enumerated by President John Dramani Mahama in his address on the 120-Day Social Contract, describing the achievements as being cosmetic.

In a press conference on Thursday May 8, 2025, Afenyo-Markin dismissed the list of fulfilled promises on grounds that they lacked substance and has failed to address the real challenges of Ghanaians.

Speaking to the issue of galamsey, he said that the Mahama-led government has disappointed citizens.

He accused the government of hoodwinking Ghanaians into thinking that they were combating the illicit mining menace.

He slammed the president for reneging on his promise to impose a state of emergency on illegal mining as promised in the social contract.

“The government’s inaction on illegal mining is not just disappointing, it is a betrayal. While in opposition, the NDC loudly declared that if elected, they would impose a state of emergency to confront galamsey head-on.

“But 120 days into office, the government not only has failed to do so, but they have completely abandoned the urgency they once preached,” he stated.

He also jabbed President John Dramani Mahama over the One Million Coders Programme, terming it as an empty rhetoric which lacks tangible support for the Ghanaian youth.

The MP for Effutu questioned the practical impact of the President’s digital transformation agenda, which forms part of the administration’s 120-day performance review.

He challenged the initiative stating that speeches and launches do not translate into digital revolution.

“We, the mighty minority, boldly remind the president that digital transformation cannot be downloaded onto our national digital network by beautiful speeches and launching ceremonies. And Ghana’s youth deserve tools, not talking points. I repeat, the youth of Ghana need tools, not talking points,” he reacted to the launch of the One Million Coders Programme, a flagship initiative by the Mahama-led administration, aimed at training one million Ghanaians in coding and digital skills.

In a similar fashion, the Minority Leader in Parliament mocked President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative. He described it as political slogan which is devoid of substantive policy outcomes.

“It is rich to hear the President tell us in the SONA that the flagship programme, the 24-Hour Economy – also known as 1,3,3: one job, three shifts – will find space in the 2025 budget but what did we hear? Another ‘matriki wo’!” he taunted the Mama-led government.

His remarks are in response to President Mahama’s national address delivered on Wednesday, May 7, which listed several achievements chalked within his first 120 days in government.

Some achievements touted during the address include; the introduction of a Code of Conduct for political appointees, the cancellation of the controversial betting tax, the abolition of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy), and initial steps toward building a leaner government, Mahama Cares Initiatives to mention a few.

VPO

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