A heated exchange erupted in Parliament on Tuesday after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused President John Dramani Mahama of discrimination over an invitation extended to only National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament for a meeting at Jubilee House.
The controversy began when Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga appealed for an early adjournment of parliamentary proceedings, explaining that the Majority Caucus had a scheduled meeting and was running late.
“This side of the house, we have a meeting, and we’re running late, so I plead with you if we can take an early adjournment so that we can be on time for that meeting,” Ayariga said.
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However, Afenyo-Markin strongly objected, alleging that the President had invited only members of the Majority Caucus to discuss welfare issues while excluding the Minority.
“We are aware that you are going to Jubilee House. We have a 276-member chamber. The President, who is supposed to be a father for all, decided to only invite his side,” the Minority Leader said.
He argued that if the meeting involved matters concerning Members of Parliament, all legislators should have been invited.
“Certain welfare issues are going to be discussed for only your side. Is that how we run a country? A President who is discriminatory? We protest this matter,” he declared.
Afenyo-Markin further claimed that he had been informed about the nature of the meeting at Jubilee House and alleged that discussions would involve benefits for members of the Majority Caucus.
“We have been told of the fat, fat envelopes. We’ve been told. We know. We heard it,” he stated.
Drawing comparisons with the previous administration, the Minority Leader claimed that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed parliamentary welfare issues inclusively.
“I was a Majority Leader in this House. Any time President Akufo-Addo was dealing with welfare issues, he dealt with the entire House,” he said.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, however, dismissed the allegations and teased that Afenyo-Markin appeared eager to meet President Mahama.
“I’ve heard the Minority Leader loud and clear. He’s requesting to also have the opportunity to meet the leader of the NDC. He wants to abandon Bawumia and go and meet John Mahama,” Ayariga said.
“But John Mahama is a very welcoming person. So if you want to bring your entire caucus to him, he is happy to receive you. He doesn’t have a problem.”
Ayariga explained that the President was entitled to meet members of his political party and stressed that the gathering was a party meeting rather than a parliamentary engagement.
“As President, he comes here and meets the entire House. But as leader of his party, he’s entitled to meet with his party members to discuss party matters,” he stated.
The Majority Leader also rejected suggestions that President Mahama had been exclusionary, insisting that the President had previously met with the leadership of both sides of Parliament.
“John Mahama has met the leadership of both sides. It’s an annual event. It is not a meeting to compromise anybody. It is a very productive meeting where issues affecting Parliament are discussed,” he said.
Ayariga assured the Minority that arrangements could be made for their caucus to meet the President as well, if they so desired.
“I can assure you, I will schedule a meeting to take your entire caucus to the Jubilee House,” he added.
Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor calmed the situation, reminding members that Parliament, as an independent arm of government, was responsible for its own affairs.
“Honourable members, let’s place on record that we are the legislative arm of government. We take care of ourselves. The President is not the one who takes care of us as a legislative arm of government,” the Deputy Speaker stated.