Osahen Drops Bombshell: Mahama Is Sacking Professionals … And Replacing Them With Party Loyalists

**Osahen Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader**

Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin is the Minority Leader in Parliament. He has accused the John Mahama government of unfairly firing professionals. He claims they are being replaced by party loyalists.

"In less than three months, all we hear is ‘sack them,’" he said. He made these comments during a debate on the 2025 budget on March 25, 2025.

Afenyo-Markin believes the dismissals target those without National Democratic Congress (NDC) party cards. This creates "a Ghana for NDC and a Ghana for others." He questioned why only one minister has avoided mass dismissals so far.

He stated, "Since when did employment after December 7 become irregular?" He emphasized that while accountability is important, human rights must not be abused.

He warned the NDC to maximize their first term in office. "The power you have today is like an ice block," he said. It will melt as elections approach, so they should use it wisely.

**Budget Concerns**

Afenyo-Markin challenged the NDC's claim of inheriting a crisis economy. He cited positive economic indicators at the time of transition:

- GDP growth rate: 5.7%
- Agricultural sector growth: 2.8%
- Industrial sector growth: 7.3%
- Services sector growth: 5.9%

"If they have nothing to offer, they should not discredit the NPP administration," he insisted. He criticized the budget for ignoring previous efforts to sustain economic growth, calling it “an absurd budget” lacking vision.

**24-Hour Economy Policy**

He mocked the NDC’s promised 24-hour economy policy, which was absent from the budget. President Mahama had previously assured that this policy would be prioritized.

"When he came here, he promised us this would be in his budget," Afenyo-Markin said angrily. Now Dr. Ato Forson says it will come later, which he views as a lie to Ghanaians.

**Free SHS Concerns**

The minority leader expressed concerns about education management under the NDC government, especially regarding Free SHS policy oversight. He questioned why GETFund now oversees Free SHS instead of the Education Ministry.

"Oh, Haruna Iddrisu, what have they given you?" he sarcastically asked about the Minister of Education's lack of resources and authority over key policies.

**‘Big Push’ and Infrastructure Allocation**

Afenyo-Markin scrutinized the NDC's ‘Big Push’ infrastructure agenda promising $10 billion investment in national projects. However, he noted that only GH¢13 billion (about $800 million) was allocated in the 2025 Budget.

"You promised $10 billion," he pointed out, questioning how such figures could add up over four years if divided evenly.

He also criticized health infrastructure management under the current government. Instead of completing Agenda 111 hospital projects initiated by the NPP, Afenyo-Markin claimed that lamentation has taken precedence.

"The health infrastructure is critical," he stressed. "Instead of allocating resources to complete Agenda 111, you are here lamenting!"