You are overdoing it - Majority slams Afenyo-Markin over political gimmicks

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has strongly criticised his colleague in leadership, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, over his conduct exhibited in the chamber.

Addressing the floor of Parliament on March 18, 2025, when the Minister of Interior appeared before the House to respond to questions on national security issues, Ayariga criticised Afenyo-Markin for attempting to engage in political gimmicks during discussions on government business.

According to Ayariga, his side has tolerated Afenyo-Markin's behavior for some time, as they recognised his attempts at political gimmicks. However, he said they believe his actions have now become excessive, with him overstepping the line.

“And coming from you the Minority Leader, who is supposed to offer leadership on this side is quite unfortunate. Don’t use this platform for political gimmicking when it’s not necessary. You have consistently tried to do that and we have accommodated you but we think you are overdoing it,” he said.

Ayariga made this observation when Afenyo-Markin, during the process of questioning the Minister of Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, made some wild allegations of some gun-wielding individuals.

He chided his colleague for making unsubstantiated claims, which he argued violated the rules that govern the House regarding how questions should be posed to ministers who appear before the Chamber.

The Bawku Central lawmaker voiced his worry over the conduct of Afenyo-Markin of his perceived abuse of the parliamentary facilities and authority.

“I continue to get worried about the manner in which the Minority Leader uses the facilities in this House [Parliament]. The opportunity to question ministers is closely governed by Order 86 with the type of questions you can ask.

“You cannot ask questions that contain charges which the member asking the question is not in the position to substantiate. These are all matters that governs questions. You just made a statement about some people wielding guns, if we ask you to substantiate that claim with videos, can you do that now on the floor?” he questioned Afenyo-Markin.

Ayariga also lamented Afenyo-Markin’s attempts to undermine the integrity of the Minister of Interior with his statements, which he described as illegal and unconstitutional.

“You just made a statement questioning the character and integrity of the minister, asking him not to condone unconstitutionality. Mr Speaker, this is inappropriate. You can ask him further questions after he gave answers to the earlier ones but to make a statement that condone unconstitutionality and illegality is totally out of place,” he concluded.

MAG/AE

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