On March 11, the parliamentary debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) came to a standstill for an hour due to escalating tensions sparked by a statement from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Afenyo-Markin’s remarks, wherein he referred to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) running mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, as an elderly individual who had failed as the Minister of Education, drew strong opposition from the Minority Caucus.
This led to an immediate demand for a retraction and an apology.
In his statement, Afenyo-Markin asserted, “Mr. Speaker, it is the same old NDC. It is the same old John Mahama. Mr. Speaker, perish the thought, should he even get the opportunity, he has only four years constitutionally. Mr. Speaker, there will be no sense of urgency in him because he has nothing to lose.”
“Even if you look at his choice of running mate. He could not get somebody that one could say that they are planning for the future. The person is over 70 years old.
“There is no succession plan. Mr Speaker, from day one, the government will be in crisis. Mr Speaker, they went to pick a very old person who could not perform at the Education Ministry.”
He continued, criticizing the choice of a running mate and highlighting her age, claiming there was no succession plan. The Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, responded with a spirited rebuttal.
The exchange escalated, with MPs from the Minority bench loudly demanding a retraction and an apology from Afenyo-Markin, disrupting his ongoing submissions.
The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who presided over the session, eventually suspended proceedings for an hour in response to the escalating tension.
The same old incompetent Mahama with his over 70 year old running mate not good for Ghana’s future ~ Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
— SOLOMON AMOAKO (@AmoakoKwam) March 11, 2024
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Reference to NDC running mate Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang's age and her performance at the Education Ministry by majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin in his SONA debate rubs off the minority MPs wrongly forcing 2nd deputy Speaker to suspend sitting.#GHOneNews #GHOneTV pic.twitter.com/YuwijVOQZn
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) March 11, 2024