News:
July 16, 2026
Tensions flared in Parliament on Thursday as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused his Majority counterpart, Mahama Ayariga, of employing deliberate delay tactics to manipulate the outcome of a crucial vote on the Public Tribunal Bill. The accusation came shortly after the Minority formally challenged the first Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor’s ruling on a contentious voice vote, which had initially been declared in favor of the Majority caucus.
The dispute centered on a clause within the proposed Public Tribunal Bill, a piece of legislation that has already proven divisive among lawmakers. Following the Speaker’s ruling, the Minority Leader publicly questioned the legitimacy of the voice vote, asserting that the decision did not accurately reflect the will of the house. Afenyo-Markin claimed that at the precise moment the vote was taken, fewer than 35 Members of Parliament from the Majority side were physically present in the chamber.
According to the Minority Leader, this lack of quorum was a strategic move orchestrated by his counterpart. “The Majority Leader realized his numbers were insufficient, which is precisely why he called for an immediate suspension of proceedings,” Afenyo-Markin stated. He argued that the request for a break was merely a ploy to buy time, allowing Mr. Ayariga to whip up absent members of the ruling party to the chamber to secure a favorable numerical advantage for the decision to hold.
The allegations ignited a heated and acrimonious debate on the floor, with both sides exchanging sharp words over the integrity of the legislative process. Tempers flared to such an extent that the Minority caucus, in a dramatic show of protest, ultimately decided to stage a walkout from the chamber. The departure left the Majority side alone in the house to continue proceedings.
Ghanamps.com