President John Dramani Mahama jabbed Afenyo-Markin during SONA in Parliament
President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, February 27, 2026, took a light-hearted swipe at the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during his State of the Nation Address.
The President made the remark while addressing concerns about military welfare and accumulated gratuity arrears.
He noted that under the leadership of former Defence Minister and Bimbilla MP, Dominic Nitiwul, a revised gratuity regime was introduced in 2020. The policy, implemented under Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 129, extended the service period of military personnel by five years.
According to President Mahama, arrears accumulated because no budgetary provision was made over the four years that followed the policy’s introduction. He stated that his government has initiated processes to clear the outstanding payments.
While delivering his remarks, the President appeared to notice the Minority Leader reacting from his seat. In a humorous aside that drew laughter from members of the House, including Afenyo-Markin and Nitiwul, President Mahama said, “Afenyo, when we all leave politics, I and Nitiwul are going to the same place in the North. You, you will go to Winneba. Don’t worry, we are brothers.”
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Afenyo-Markin is the Member of Parliament for Effutu, with Winneba as his constituency capital in the Central Region.
The President further disclosed that the arrears have exceeded GH¢1 billion, owed to approximately 3,000 personnel across various ranks.
He assured Parliament that the government would soon commence payment of the gratuity arrears under C.I. 129.
He added that following engagements between the current Military High Command, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Defence, a structured implementation plan has been agreed upon to resolve the matter.
President Mahama said the move forms part of his administration’s commitment to fairness and the resolution of longstanding legacy issues, ensuring that affected personnel receive their rightful entitlements.
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