A row erupted in Parliament on Friday during plenary as Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Asiamah responded to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s concerns over the commencement of proceedings without prior notice to the Minority front bench.
The disagreement arose after the Minority Leader complained that the sitting had started while key members of the Minority leadership were still in their offices.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that leadership should be properly informed before proceedings begin, insisting that communication between the leadership and the various caucuses is essential to the smooth running of the House.
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However, the Second Deputy Speaker, who was presiding over proceedings, pushed back against the complaint and urged the leaders to be available on time whenever a sitting is scheduled.
According to Asiamah, the day’s sitting was originally expected to begin at 10:00 am but eventually commenced around 12:00 pm, giving leaders sufficient time to take their seats before the Speaker assumed the chair.
He urged leaders of both sides of the House to respect agreed sitting times.
“At times we assign ourselves that we are coming at this time and the time will come and nobody is here. So as much as I appreciate where the Majority Leader is coming from, I also would like to urge leadership that if we say we are coming at 12, at least leaders, let’s avail ourselves,” Asiamah said.
Deputy Speaker advice
The Second Deputy Speaker also reminded lawmakers that Ghanaians are closely watching their conduct.
He warned that it would be unfair for parliamentary leaders to delay proceedings and at the same time expect special notifications before every sitting.
“Whatever we are doing, we are doing for the good of the country and the public is also watching us. It will not be fair; it’s not only for today,” he added.
The Minority leader insisted that his concerns should be officially placed on record, arguing that members of the Minority Caucus had been waiting in their offices and only became aware that proceedings were about to begin after a deputy clerk contacted the Deputy Minority Whip.
He expressed frustration that the Minority front bench was empty when proceedings commenced.
“Mr. Speaker, the practice is that there is always a conclave preceding sitting. We didn’t know anything, and then a deputy clerk called my deputy whip to say that they were proceeding into the chamber. When the front bench of the Minority was empty, Mr. Speaker, it’s unacceptable. Very unacceptable. We will not accept that,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
He warned that the situation should not be repeated, stressing the need to protect parliamentary leadership from what he described as embarrassing circumstances.
“You don’t know what I know. This should never happen. We will not accept it. In the least, we must be protected,” he added.
The Majority Whip, Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, intervened and explained that the circumstances surrounding the day’s sitting were unusual.
He pointed to the state funeral of the late Ambassador Victor Gbeho, which he said had affected the availability of several parliamentary leaders.
He maintained that notice had already been given about the commencement of proceedings and that there was no need for a separate notification under the circumstances.
Despite calls for the issue to be allowed to rest, Afenyo-Markin maintained that his concerns needed to be documented.
The latest row highlights continuing disagreements over parliamentary procedures, communication and punctuality between the Majority and Minority leadership.
With both sides defending their positions, the exchange has once again placed the spotlight on the conduct and coordination of parliamentary business as proceedings continue under close public scrutiny.