‘You’re out of order’ – Watch as Bagbin switches off Afenyo-Markin’s microphone after budget reading

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin switched off the microphone of Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin after he attempted to make preliminary comments following the presentation of the 2027 Budget. The incident happened in Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, shortly after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presented the budget statement. 10 key takeaways from Ghana's 2027 Budget Afenyo-Markin wanted to make some remarks on behalf of the Minority, but Bagbin stopped him, explaining that the House's rules did not permit such comments at that stage of proceedings. The Speaker repeatedly asked the Minority Leader to focus on the business scheduled for the day, but Afenyo-Markin continued with his remarks. In his initial attempt, Afenyo-Markin argued that previous Minority Leaders had been allowed to thank the Finance Minister and make preliminary observations after budget presentations. He also noted that Dr Ato Forson, during his time as Minority Leader, had not objected to such practice. “Leaders before the comments are able to thank the Minister and make their preliminary observations. The Finance Minister himself, as a minority leader, was not denying such bona fides,” he said. However, Bagbin insisted that Afenyo-Markin was out of order and directed him to look at the business scheduled for the day. “Minority leader, minority leader, you are completely out of order. You are out of order. Please, look at the business for today,” Bagbin said. Despite the Speaker's warning, Afenyo-Markin insisted that he was focused on the business of the day but proceeded to explain why he wanted to speak. He argued that although the House's rules did not allow commentary immediately after the budget presentation, the Minority should be given the opportunity to thank the Finance Minister. “Mr Speaker, the Finance Minister has just completed that constitutional exercise. Under normal circumstances, per what we have in the order paper, Speaker, we are supposed to begin commentary, but by our own rules, we cannot do so today,” he said. Bagbin again stopped him, insisting that it was not time for comments or to thank the Finance Minister. “Minority leader, please, there is no comment. Don't thank him now. It's not time to thank the Minister, so please,” the Speaker said. Afenyo-Markin then shifted his remarks to what he described as matters of urgent public importance, citing the high prices of goods at Aboabo Market, the continued detention of Camila Alhassan over alleged free speech issues and concerns about cocaine trafficking. “Mr Speaker, if the Finance Minister does not want the minority to thank him, Speaker, that is fine. I want to take this opportunity to draw the House's attention to some matters of urgent public importance.” “Mr Speaker, if you go to Aboabo markets, prices of goods are very high. Mr Speaker, Camila Alhassan is still in jail for expressing her right of free speech. Mr Speaker, there is cocaine here, cocaine there, everywhere,” Afenyo-Markin mentioned. At that point, Bagbin switched off Afenyo-Markin's microphone, preventing him from continuing his remarks through the sound system. The Minority Leader was subsequently heard speaking without a microphone before he eventually sat down. From Unfulfilled Promises to Lack of Jobs: 5 criticisms Afenyo-Markin levelled against 2027 Budget Explaining his action, the Speaker told members that he had personally controlled the microphone to prevent further commentary. “Honourable members, please, I controlled his microphone from here, so we will not make commentary now. We'll do it after three days,” Bagbin stated. Watch the video below: MAG/BAI Who Is Responsible for Stray-Bullet Injuries and Deaths? Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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