Veteran broadcaster Omanhene Kwabena Asante has strongly condemned Alexander Afenyo-Markin and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing their recent conduct as “arrogant” and politically detrimental.
Speaking live on Asempa FM, the vocal journalist warned the opposition party that such posturing could cost them victory in upcoming elections, stating flatly that a party cannot insult its way back into power.
“The president can designate anybody to receive the petition. Do you want to tell the president who should come and receive the petition on his behalf? Where is this arrogance from? Is it about the content or the person who is receiving it?” said Omanhene.
The controversy stems from the NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration. The protest was organized to voice grievances against alleged political persecution and selective justice.
When the high-powered NPP delegation arrived at the Jubilee House to present their official petition to the Presidency, they were met by Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah, who was designated to receive the document on behalf of the administration.
This delegation arrangement infuriated the NPP Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who publicly protested Jantuah’s presence, arguing that sending a single staffer was a sign of disrespect to the NPP’s leadership structure, which included the General Secretary, the Chief of Staff to their flagbearer, and sitting Members of Parliament.
In the heat of the exchange, Afenyo-Markin reportedly demeaned Jantuah’s status, describing her as a “nobody” who lacked the institutional weight to receive such an important national petition.
Reacting to the altercation on the Ekosii Sen show hosted by Philip Osei Bonsu, Omanhene Kwabena Asante pulled no punches. He admonished Afenyo-Markin for showcasing entitlement and unnecessary aggression while in opposition.
Asante stressed that political attraction relies on humility and public decency. He reminded the NPP leadership that they currently lack state power and cannot afford to alienate voters or civil servants with condescending behaviour. The broadcaster stated that the display makes the party structurally unattractive to floating voters who value maturity over political theater.
The incident has triggered widespread political fallout and institutional condemnation across Ghana. A visibly emotional Nana Yaa Jantuah appeared on Asempa FM to fire back, calling Afenyo-Markin a “small boy” in her eyes and declaring her intention to formally petition the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to force a public retraction.
Government representatives, including Deputy Director of Operations Mustapha Gbande, have called on the NPP hierarchy to compel their parliamentary leader to apologize for disrespecting a public officer on official duty.
The NPP leadership has yet to issue an official apology, maintaining that the presentation format at the executive gates minimized the national concerns raised by their base.
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