Bawku Central Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga has accused the leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Caucus in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, of being overly fixated on his title as Majority Leader, to the detriment of advancing government business in the House.
Ayariga’s remarks came after the Majority Caucus was absent from a parliamentary session they themselves had requested, prompting Speaker Alban Bagbin to adjourn the sitting in frustration.
Following the adjournment, Afenyo-Markin voiced his discontent with the Speaker, accusing him of “supervising chaos” and suggesting that the session had been convened without proper planning, a move he claimed was fostering disorder.
In response, Ayariga, during an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, November 7, contended that Afenyo-Markin’s focus on procedural details, such as seating arrangements, was overshadowing Parliament’s critical responsibilities, especially when key national issues needed attention.
He argued that Afenyo-Markin’s preoccupation with his position was impeding the effective functioning of parliamentary duties and urged the Efuttu MP to shift his focus toward advancing government business for the benefit of Ghanaians.
“What has the business committee meeting got to do with who sits where in the chamber?” Ayariga questioned. “I have consistently said that Afenyo-Markin is not interested in the business of government. He is interested in his position as a Majority Leader.”
Ayariga continued, “If I am made a majority leader and an issue like what Afenyo-Markin is confronting arises, I will not care about where I sit. I will prioritise bringing the business of government to the House and getting members to discuss the business of the House. All these issues about the majority, minority, and the numbers only matter for decision-making. But everything else can proceed, no matter where you are seated.”