Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has slammed Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin over what he described as a breach of parliamentary procedure during proceedings in Parliament.
The heated confrontation erupted on Tuesday, May 26, after Afenyo-Markin attempted to raise concerns over a proposed 0.75 per cent charge on Mobile Money wallet-to-bank transfers announced by the Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) under the MTN Group Ghana Limited.
The Minority leader argued that while the Finance Minister was present in the chamber, he should bring clarity to the matter.
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He argued that the proposed charge effectively amounted to a reintroduction of the scrapped E-Levy policy through another mechanism.
However, Mahama Ayariga objected to the timing and manner in which the issue was raised, insisting that Parliament must operate within laid-down procedures and conventions.
“This kind of lawlessness cannot be accepted. Not especially from a leader,” Ayariga stated.
The Majority Leader further requested that the remarks made by Afenyo-Markin be expunged from the official parliamentary records.
According to him, allowing MPs to raise issues arbitrarily without following parliamentary processes could undermine order and discipline within the chamber.
“Please, let’s get serious as a House. We have rules. If we decide that we are not going to go according to our rules, do you know what is going to happen to you?” Ayariga questioned.
He reminded the Minority caucus that while the opposition had every right to express dissenting views, such interventions must be made through the proper channels provided under the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“You have every right as a minority to say what you want to say. It’s because there are rules that say that you should say whatever you want to say. But the same rules indicate when you should say it,” he stressed.
Ayariga also referred to Afenyo-Markin’s previous role as Majority Leader, asking whether similar conduct would have been tolerated under his leadership.
“You were a Majority Leader. Is that what your colleagues were doing to you?” he asked.
Hon Afenyo-Markin, however, defended his actions, arguing that Parliament sometimes had to invoke the ‘rule of necessity’ when urgent national issues affecting citizens emerged unexpectedly.
He maintained that the substance of the issue was more important than procedural technicalities, especially when ordinary Ghanaians were likely to be affected by new financial charges.
The exchange comes amid public debate over the proposed Mobile Money transfer fee announced by the Bank of Ghana, which has since been suspended pending further consultations.
Political observers say the latest clash reflects growing tensions in Parliament over economic policy discussions and procedural control within the House.