Afenyo-Markin Calls for Merit-Based Youth Empowerment

Effutu MP and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on Ghana to prioritize merit over political affiliation in offering opportunities to young people.

Addressing participants at the Kwahu Business Forum on Saturday, April 19, he expressed concern about the growing trend of politicizing youth development initiatives. He urged leaders to shift their focus toward recognizing the talents, creativity, and ambition of the youth rather than rewarding party loyalty.

“We need to rethink how we support our young people. Support should not be based on party colors but on the potential, innovation, and drive they show,” he emphasized.

Afenyo-Markin warned that relying on political favoritism to shape the country’s future could hinder progress and innovation. He argued that national development depends on fairness and providing equal opportunities to all capable individuals, regardless of their political stance.

“Ghana’s progress must be grounded in merit, not political allegiance. Opportunities should go to those who earn them—this is how we foster growth, encourage healthy competition, and build a thriving nation,” he stated.

The Kwahu Business Forum serves as a key platform for dialogue among policymakers, business leaders, and investors, focusing on strategies to drive economic growth and strengthen the private sector in Ghana and beyond.