'Since when did anybody become afraid of him?' - Afenyo-Markin challenges Mahama Ayariga

A heated exchange erupted in Parliament on June 16, 2026, between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during a debate centered on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and allegations of economic mismanagement.

Ayariga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, accused the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration of mismanaging Ghana’s economy, claiming that Afenyo-Markin was attempting to embarrass the government by highlighting alleged disputes between the Finance Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry.

“He got up and started talking about ministers of state. He got up and started trying to embarrass government by making references to issues between the finance minister and the minister of agriculture.

“He started it. So, when you live in a glass house, you don’t throw stones. You will mismanage the economy.

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“So today, don’t come and be telling people about the mismanagement of the economy. Ghanaians saw everything. So, Mr Speaker, if he stops, I will respond,” Ayariga stated.

Afenyo-Markin, visibly angered by the remarks, countered by accusing the NDC government of corruption, citing IMF reports of over 9 billion cedis in losses without any prosecutions.

He warned that if the Majority Leader wanted to trade accusations, the NPP was ready to confront the NDC on corruption.

“Since when did anybody become afraid of him? Mr Speaker, he has raised serious issues against somebody who is not here. If there’s anybody to prosecute, you know what has happened...they met at the Gold Board. The IMF has reported 9 billion cedis.

“Is there any prosecution? That is not mismanagement. Mr Speaker, we are ready any day. They should bring it on. We would face them. We have every single corruption issue in this government. Mr Speaker, he should bring it on and we’ll see who will be bruised,” Afenyo-Markin said.

AM

I'm ready to apologise wholeheartedly to Mahama if I have wronged him - Wontumi