According to ModernGhana, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has come under criticism from Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, following a tense exchange in Parliament on June 10.
The confrontation erupted during a debate over the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), which has heightened tensions within the chamber.
During the session, Ahiafor, who also represents Akatsi South for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accused Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member on the Health Committee, of misusing his opportunity to deliver an urgent statement.
The situation escalated quickly, leading Ahiafor to instruct the Marshal of Parliament to remove Dr Afriyie, who represents Effiduase-Asokore, from the chamber.
Assafuah later addressed the matter on social media, strongly condemning the Deputy Speaker’s approach.
He argued that Ahiafor’s handling of the situation reflected an authoritarian attitude more suited to a bygone era than a modern democratic institution.
According to Assafuah, the Deputy Speaker’s refusal to allow a fellow MP to express his views undermined the principles of open debate and tolerance that are essential to parliamentary proceedings.
The Old Tafo MP expressed concern that using parliamentary security to silence differing opinions set a troubling precedent.