Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has cautioned government ministers against using social media platforms to announce major policy decisions that ought to be formally communicated to Parliament.
Speaking on Thursday, May 5, Afenyo-Markin condemned the growing trend of ministers bypassing the legislative body in favour of digital communication. He described it as disregarding the institution that approved their appointments.
“Mr. Speaker, we must not encourage our ministers to use social media to communicate national issues. This is the people’s platform,” he said.
Read: Being held accountable doesn’t mean guilt – NAPO responds to NIB invitation
His comments came during a session addressing the continued absence of some ministers who were expected to appear before Parliament to answer questions concerning their ministries. Citing Standing Order 91(2), the Minority Leader reminded the House that ministers must present government policy statements directly to Parliament.
Social media communications
Quoting from the Standing Orders, he stated: “A minister of state may make a statement of government policy, and the statement shall be limited to facts which are necessary to be made known to the House.” He emphasized that this provision affirms Parliament as the proper forum for all government policy disclosures.
“Government policy must first be made known to this House before it is shared anywhere else. If we allow ministers to use social media then what happens to the people’s representatives? This House takes a strong exception to their over-reliance on social media,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin also referred to previous occasions when he had agreed to reschedule ministerial questioning due to the passage of the Appropriation Bill. He noted that although time was given to facilitate the budget process, weeks had passed — including a parliamentary recess — yet some ministers continued to delay their appearances.
He agreed to one final extension, postponing a scheduled ministerial appearance to Tuesday, June 10, and urged the Majority Leadership to communicate the new date to the concerned ministers.
Specifically, he mentioned Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, insisting that he appear before the House rather than rely on public or social media statements to convey government policy.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that Parliament is the cornerstone of democratic accountability, asserting that ministers cannot continue to sidestep the House in favour of social media platforms. He called on the government to treat the issue with urgency and ensure all future communications of national significance are first brought before Parliament.
In response, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor refuted the Minority Leader’s claims, arguing that no minister had used social media as a substitute for formally addressing Parliament.
“Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister, Roads Minister, Environment Minister, Lands Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, and Gender Minister have all appeared before this House. There is no such evidence that any minister has used social media to address Parliament. So, there is no need for such speculation,” he asserted.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com