Breaking the 8-year jinx: Never overlook cries of hardship – Afenyo-Markin

The Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has asked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to be quick in dismissing or treating with disdain and contempt the several complaints of economic hardship from a section of Ghanaians as some of these complaints may be a true reflection of the realities faced by the very persons who voted the party into government.

“I urge everyone to see such comments, both good and bad, as stark reminders that while we have done a lot at various levels to transform our country and her economy fundamentally, there is still much work to be done. And we must do this duty with the zeal of a religious fanatic”, Afenyo-Markin noted in his remarks at a 3-day workshop for the Majority Caucus held at Abetefi in the Eastern Region.

He said strategic marketing and communication has become a critical tool in making a political commodity or message attractive to the modern sophisticated electorate who wants to see a positive change effected with a sense of urgency.

The MP for Effutu Constituency further urged his party leadership and faithful to make a deliberate and concerted effort in evangelising on the triumphs and enviable achievements the Nana Akufo-Addo led-Government has achieved since it was voted into office.

He said such a message, strategically packaged and well disseminated would help the party to with a third term electoral victory and break what has become known as the ‘8-year jinx’ of two terms since Ghana returned to constitutional rule under the Fourth Republic.

“Believe me when I say that strategic marketing and communication will be vital in helping us break the eight. We must all be the contact points for whipping up renewed faith and confidence in the NPP as the only alternative. We must convert passive party members into active, zealous opponents into die-hard supporters, foes into dependable allies, full-time doubters into true believers, and cynics into optimists. It is possible”, Afenyo-Markin noted.

He added: “To achieve these, we must seize every opportunity that presents itself to tell the story of our government. We must grab every moment we get on the mass media to sell and defend our record. Also, we must do our very best to get our story told more positively on WHATSAPP, Facebook, tweeter, Instagram, Linked In, tiktok, snap chat and the rest. We must all take these platforms seriously and mine every vote we can get out of them. I know a lot is being done by many of us and our hard-working party communicators and loyalists. However, we need to do more if breaking the eight and returning an overwhelming victory in 2024 are to happen.

“We must tell the good stories about the record number of Ghanaian children successfully graduating from our senior high schools free of charge. We must tell the compelling story of the new rail tracks being built around the country. We must tell the story about the new cocoa production record we have just set. We must sell the story of the modern and relatively cheaper district hospitals being built across the country and many more. Yes; WE MUST tell these stories until every city, every township, every village, every hamlet, every settlement and indeed every citizen of Ghana hears and appreciates the actual value of our good works under the Government of President Nana Akufo-Addo. These records will persuade the good people of Ghana and the International community that between the NPP and the opposition, we are the only factual definition of value for money”, Afenyo-Markin noted.

The 3-day workshop, though for the Majority Caucus was attended by the Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia; former Speaker, Prof Mike Oquaye; the Deputy Speakers of Parliament; Chief of Staff Hon Frema Osei-Opare; the party leadership at the National Executive level; Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives; and other big names in government.