The Minority Caucus in Parliament has formally presented what it describes as a catalogue of grave governance, security and constitutional concerns to
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has formally presented what it describes as a catalogue of grave governance, security and constitutional concerns to President John Dramani Mahama, warning that Ghana faces a “clear and present danger” if urgent corrective action is not taken.
The concerns were tabled at a closed-door meeting held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Jubilee House, as part of Parliament’s long-standing oversight engagements with the Presidency on matters of national importance.
The engagement, rooted in a tradition dating back to the Seventh Parliament, forms part of periodic high-level consultations between parliamentary leadership and the President aimed at safeguarding democratic governance and national stability.
According to the Minority, the December 22 meeting was necessitated by what it called an accumulation of troubling developments since the change of government in January 2025.
Presenting the Minority’s submissions, Afenyo-Markin framed the issues as a national governance crisis requiring the President’s “urgent and direct intervention.”
At the top of the list was the escalating menace of illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, which the Caucus said has intensified markedly since January 2025.
The Minority expressed alarm over the role of the newly established GoldBod, warning that weak traceability systems risk turning the state into a formal buyer of illegally mined gold, thereby legitimising environmental destruction.
Citing recent scientific assessments, the Minority referenced findings by environmental watchdog Pure Earth and Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority, which indicate dangerously high levels of toxic metal contamination in water bodies and soils within mining communities.
Earlier data from A Rocha Ghana and Global Forest Watch, submitted to the President in a July 2025 petition, reportedly showed sharp increases in river turbidity and forest cover loss.
Investigative reports by The Fourth Estate and policy think tank IMANI Ghana were also cited, alleging collusion among some District Chief Executives, political operatives and security personnel who, instead of curbing galamsey, have become enablers of the practice.
The Minority further criticised the effectiveness of the government’s Blue Water Guards, describing their operations as inadequate in halting environmental devastation.
Beyond environmental concerns, the Minority raised objections to what it described as the mass dismissal of approximately 2,802 public servants through directives issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff.
The Caucus argued that the move undermines the constitutional principle of a politically neutral and professional civil service. Against the backdrop of Ghana Statistical Service data indicating that about 1.3 million young people are unemployed, the Minority urged the President to halt further dismissals and institute a transparent review process grounded in due process and fairness.
The Caucus also accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of “weaponising” election petitions to overturn parliamentary results in selected opposition-held constituencies, with the aim of engineering by-elections for partisan gain.
According to the Minority, public statements by some NDC officials boasting about such strategies threaten to turn the courts from arbiters of justice into tools of political seat acquisition.
Closely linked to this, the Minority complained of systematic harassment of its leadership, including attempts to remove the Minority Leader from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament and efforts to refer him to Parliament’s Privileges Committee over his participation in regional duties.
Economic governance featured prominently in the submissions, with the Minority alleging partisan discrimination in the payment of contractors.
The Caucus noted that contractors perceived to be aligned with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are being denied payment despite approved budgetary allocations, pushing otherwise viable businesses to the brink of collapse and costing jobs.
The Minority urged the President to ensure prompt payment of all legitimate claims, warning that politicising state payments “weaponises the economy.”
The meeting also revisited the fate of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, a flagship industrialisation programme of the previous administration.
The Minority said the withdrawal of incentives and support for the policy has resulted in idle factories and job losses, arguing that the government has yet to present a credible alternative industrial strategy.
According to the Caucus, productive policies should transcend partisan cycles, and the industrial base should not be sacrificed for political rebranding.
On matters of justice and the rule of law, the Minority alleged selective prosecution of opposition figures, including the imposition of prohibitively high bail conditions amounting to “economic detention,” while cases involving officials of the previous NDC administration have been discontinued through the filing of nolle prosequi.
Such practices, the Caucus warned, create a perception of “justice by party colour” and erode public confidence in the legal system.
The Minority further warned that youth unemployment has reached levels that constitute a national security threat. With an estimated 1.3 million young people outside education, employment or training, the Caucus cautioned that widespread idleness and disillusionment could fuel crime, radicalisation and political instability.
It called on the President to declare youth unemployment a national security emergency and to pursue large-scale job creation through genuine bipartisan collaboration.
Concerns about public safety and insecurity were also raised, as the Minority pointed to rising incidents of violent crime, kidnappings and what it described as a growing sense of impunity.
According to the Caucus, many citizens now feel unsafe in their homes and communities, signalling a failure of the state’s core responsibility to protect life and property.
The Minority urged an urgent reorganisation and resourcing of the security agencies to restore public confidence.
Finally, the Caucus addressed lingering concerns about a potential third-term agenda. Despite assurances from the President, the Minority said influential voices within the governing party continue to advocate for constitutional amendments or interpretations that could extend presidential term limits.
The Caucus called on President Mahama to unequivocally and repeatedly denounce any attempt at a third term or life presidency, arguing that his legacy would be judged by his commitment to Ghana’s entrenched democratic norms.
In its closing appeal, the Minority warned that the issues raised reflect a dangerous pattern that could undermine the Republic if left unchecked.
While describing the meeting as frank and conducted in a spirit of patriotic duty, the Caucus said it expects concrete action from the Presidency. It pledged to continue monitoring developments closely and to deploy all constitutional and parliamentary tools necessary to defend the democracy, protect state institutions and safeguard the welfare of citizens.
“Ghana’s democracy has been a beacon on the continent,” the statement, signed by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, concluded. “We cannot allow it to dim on our watch.”
The meeting was attended by President Mahama and senior officials from the Presidency, alongside the full leadership of Parliament.
Those present included the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako; Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga; Deputy Majority Leader, Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan; and Second Deputy Majority Whip, Richard Acheampong.
The Minority delegation was led by Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, with Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu, and Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib in attendance.
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