A fierce debate ensued in Parliament regarding the Free SHS policy following Majority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin’s request for clarification from Ranking Member for Education Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe.
The dispute arose when Afenyo-Markin cited media reports indicating that Nortsu-Kotoe, MP for Akatsi North, opposed the introduction of a Free SHS bill that had not yet been presented to Parliament.
“I would like to address a matter of public importance raised by the Member of Parliament and Ranking Member on Education for Akatsi North, Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe. He allegedly stated that he is kicking against the bill being introduced. I believe this is a forum where he can clarify his stance so we can properly understand his views because media reports can sometimes misquote or misrepresent,” said Afenyo-Markin.
However, as Afenyo-Markin spoke, the Deputy Minority Leader approached Nortsu-Kotoe for a discussion.
In response, Minority Chief Whip Kwame Governs Agbodza asserted that Afenyo-Markin was acting improperly.
“The Majority Leader is completely out of order. He based his comments on a media report, which is not before this House. Our standing orders allow us to ask questions directly to colleagues. If you want to know his thoughts on Free SHS, file a question, and he will answer you,” Agbodza said.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that his intention was not to pose a question but to seek clarification, citing the House rules in support as it pertains to a matter of national importance.
Minority Chief Whip Agbodza reiterated that there was currently no Free SHS bill before Parliament.
He underscored that the Minority would take a position if such a bill were introduced.
Agbodza also clarified that the Minority Leader had affirmed that the Minority did not oppose Free SHS.
The Speaker of Parliament intervened, noting that the leadership had previously agreed to limit time spent in the chamber and had scheduled a meeting.
However, another MP insisted on discussing the matter, deeming it significant.
Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh endorsed Afenyo-Markin‘s request, seeing no issue with the Majority Leader’s inquiry.
At this juncture, approximately five Minority MPs rose to their feet, further escalating tension in the House.
A visibly upset Murtala Mohammed, MP for Tamale Central, expressed his frustration, highlighting the absence of members from the Majority side.
“The challenges confronting us would not have happened, and I can quote what you have said, ‘that the NDC is to scrap the Free SHS’. My point has to do with the unseriousness on the team he leads. There are only seven Majority MPs present; yesterday they were just five. Now you think that it is important for us to discuss this matter. You are a leader of government business; what should be of concern to you is to ensure your members are in the House. I came here at 8 am, your members are still not here at 5:50 pm. They are following your presidential candidate, dancing Azonto, and saying, ‘Give me the steer’,” he said.
During the ongoing debate, the MP for Ho West expressed concerns about the quorum, noting that only 10 MPs from the Majority and 30 from the Minority were present in the House.
The Speaker called for the bell to be rung, warning that if the House did not achieve quorum, it would be adjourned.
This action was supported by Dominic Ayine, who referenced procedural rules to address the quorum matter.
Subsequently, the discussion in the House shifted to issues involving Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and the third witness in the ongoing ambulance case at an Accra High Court, Richard Jakpa.