Minority Leader hails Patriotic Institute as beacon of NPP’s ideological renewal
The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has lauded the newly inaugurated Patriotic Institute as a bold and necessary step towards revitalizing the ideological foundations of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking on behalf of the Minority Caucus in Parliament during the launch of the Institute at the NPP Headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Mr. Afenyo-Markin described the institute as “the clearest institutional expression of our party’s enduring commitment to development in freedom, to principled leadership, and to the constant renewal of the values that have defined the NPP since its inception.”
New chapter
He said the launch marked a new chapter in the intellectual and ideological life of the party, and its historical mission and forward-looking agenda. He highlighted the NPP’s legacy over the past three decades, citing its contributions to democratic governance and transformative social policies.
“Our liberal democratic foundations are not just philosophical concepts. They have produced tangible results from the NHIS and school feeding programme under former President Kufuor to Free SHS and Agenda 111 under former President Akufo-Addo,” he mentioned
But while acknowledging past accomplishments, the Minority Leader issued a caution: history alone is not enough. “In a world that is growing more urban, more complex and competitive, how do we ensure that we remain relevant?” he posed. “Conviction alone is not enough. We must be able to articulate our beliefs with clarity, depth and confidence to the people of Ghana,” he indicated.
He said the Patriotic Institute was created precisely to serve as a “living archive of our party’s journey, a centre of ideological formation, policy innovation, and a training ground for the next generation of NPP leaders.”
According to him, the Institute would provide strategic orientation to the party’s communicators and equip members with both historical awareness and ideological grounding.
“It will empower our communicators with history and strategic clarity, and equip every member to not only defend our record but to articulate with confidence the visions and values that make our tradition distinct,” he explained.
Instrumental for NPP MPs
Beyond the party structure, the Minority Leader said the Institute would be instrumental in guiding the legislative work of NPP Members of Parliament.
“As your leader in Parliament, with my colleagues supporting the calls of our party, let me emphasise how critical this initiative is, not just for the party but for Parliament itself. The Patriotic Institute should be the fulcrum through which the NPP nurtures its leaders and shapes our policy conversations in Parliament,” he stressed.
He added that the Institute would ground MPs in the philosophical and constitutional principles of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, enabling them to enter the chamber not just as individuals but as “custodians of an intellectual tradition.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further noted the political advantage the institute could bring to the NPP in shaping national discourse and confronting the opposition with stronger, values-driven policy alternatives.
“This, I believe, will lead to a tougher, value-driven scrutiny of our opponent’s policies. It will allow us to propose better, bolder and more visionary solutions to the challenges facing Ghanaians; alternatives that are not just populist responses but principles grounded in our beliefs and reflective of our long-standing commitment to inclusive development. That is true leadership. This institute is a powerful reminder that the NPP is not merely a political party. It is a movement of ideas,” the Minority Leader added.
The Patriotic Institute is a training centre, think tank and policy hub for the NPP, offering courses in political philosophy, governance, communication and leadership. It aims to equip party communicators and aspiring leaders with the tools needed for effective public service.
