Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has recounted how he “accidentally” entered politics.

According to him, his original ambition was to become a successful entrepreneur, practice law and eventually become a judge.

Speaking during a visit by some members of the Anlo community on October 14, 2026, he said he had not planned to become a politician until his former primary school classmates approached him while he was in his final year at law school.

According to him, the classmates came to inform him that the person who had won the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary for their constituency had withdrawn from the race following the death of his daughter.

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He said the development prompted them to call on him to enter the political contest, setting him on a path he had not originally envisioned.

"That very evening, they came from Winneba and told me that the one who won the primaries for NPP has stepped down because the daughter had died and he said because of juju, he could not pursue that ambition again. And our classmates were calling for me.

“I didn't plan to get into politics. My plan was to become a lawyer, run my business, run law firm, and later in life become a judge", he narrated.

The Member of Parliament for Effutu said his interest in becoming a judge was inspired by his reading about prominent jurists.

He also recalled that former Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba had encouraged him on several occasions to leave politics and pursue a career on the bench.

"Reading about the Lord Dennings and the Atkinsons and Wilberforce and all those great jurists, I really wanted to be at the bench. And in fact, even to date, I don't know what my Lord Atuguba saw in me. But back in the days when I was doing a lot of Supreme Court practice, you know, he would send his usher to call me after court, to his office, to his chambers, and say, Afenyo, why don't you stop this politics and become a judge? I want you at the bench", he recounted.

Despite the unexpected turn into politics, the Minority Leader said his experience in public service had been fulfilling, particularly because of the opportunity to serve people and navigate the challenges that come with leadership.

According to him, people who choose public service must be prepared for adversity and recognise the importance of having people who can support them through difficult moments.

JKB/VPO

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