Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rebuild itself as a united and disciplined political force, warning that Ghana does not need a divided and weakened party.

Speaking at the signing of a peace pact by NPP flagbearer aspirants ahead of the January 31, 2026 presidential primaries, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the country expects the party to return stronger, not broken by internal disputes.

“Ghana needs this party back, not as a wounded, quarrelling organisation, but as a renewed, united, serious alternative,” he said.

He added that leadership must be rooted in service rather than personal ambition. “The country does not need leaders who are prisoners of their egos. It needs leaders who are servants of the Republic.”

The Minority Leader said that the peace pact must go beyond symbolism and reflect real changes in behaviour before and after the primaries. “If this peace pact is to have meaning, it must translate into clear commitments,” he said.

He outlined key expectations for aspirants and their supporters, including an end to personal attacks within the party. According to him, members must “refrain from personal attacks and character assassination, focusing instead on policies and competence and vision.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin also called for the outright rejection of violence and divisive conduct. He urged party members “to reject violence, intimidation and any ethnic or regional incitement,” and to rely on party structures rather than public confrontations to resolve disagreements.

“To use internal party mechanisms, not public warfare, to resolve grievances,” he said.

He further called on all aspirants to support the eventual winner and ensure unity after the primaries. “To stand together with the elected flagbearer within days of the result and to integrate talent from all camps into one campaign,” he said, saying the need to bring everyone on board.

Addressing the aspirants, Mr Afenyo-Markin reminded them that their conduct during the contest would define their legacy more than the outcome of the election itself.

“Your greatest legacy will not be whether you became a flagbearer. It will be whether your conduct helped preserve and strengthen this tradition and empowered the mighty minority to hold this government to account.”

He also charged the party’s leadership to ensure that the peace pact is enforced without fear or favour. “To the leadership of our party, enforce this commitment fairly and firmly,” he said.

Turning to party supporters, he warned against being drawn into internal divisions. “To the grassroots, refuse to be used as instruments of division,” he urged.

Mr Afenyo-Markin called for the peace pact to represent a deeper commitment to unity and national service.

“Let this peace pact be more than ink and handshakes. Let it be a covenant with delegates, with this tradition and with the people of Ghana.”

He expressed confidence that a united NPP would be better placed to serve the country and strengthen its role in Parliament. According to him, unity within the party would ensure that "this party will be worthy of another opportunity to serve, and that, united, it will equip the mighty minority to fearlessly defend the Republic of Ghana."