Afenyo-Markin cautions political class to be wary of rising youth uprising in Africa

The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has cautioned the political class to be wary of recent youth uprisings on the African continent.

This warning comes days after Kenyan youth took to the streets to protest the introduction of certain taxes, which led to the torching of Parliament. Following this, Tanzanians have done likewise.

The riot in Kenya left five Ghanaian MPs, who had visited the country's parliament, stranded.

Addressing the development in a statement on the floor, Mr. Afenyo-Markin implored the political class to work together to take proactive steps in addressing the underlying causes of public discontent.

The MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, charged the government to take steps to avoid a situation similar to Kenya's in Ghana.

The MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, argued that no youth have the right to embark on a riot leading to the destruction of property, as witnessed in Kenya, regardless of their concerns.

The Bawku Central MP and immediate past spokesperson for Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, argued that the increasing levels of discontent on the continent are a threat that has caused many governments to fall.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Otchere Darko Mensah, charged MPs to lock themselves in the chamber, if need be, and work out solutions to pacify the country's youth and avoid such riots.

The Odododiodio MP, Nii Lante Vanderpuiye, who was caught up in the riot in Kenya, argued that leaders in Africa seem to be playing with fire by openly displaying impunity.

The MP for Manhyia South and Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, questioned why some Ghanaians seem to be wishing for what happened in Kenya to occur in Ghana, arguing that there is no excuse whatsoever for the actions of Gen-Z.