Afenyo-Markin reacted to the matter regarding Dr Zanetor and Prof Grace Ayensu-Danquah
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has broken his silence following a heated exchange with Essikado-Ketan MP and Deputy Health Minister, Prof Grace Ayensu-Danquah, during a parliamentary sitting on July 14, 2025.
In an emotional submission to Parliament, Afenyo-Markin revealed that he was seriously unwell and bedridden at the time public backlash against his remarks toward Prof Ayensu began.
He described the widespread criticism he received as hurtful, especially considering the context in which the incident unfolded.
“Last week, I was in my hospital bed. I was unwell. And I saw, whilst watching TV, I saw Afenyo-Markin being pounded and I felt very sad,” he recounted.
“… sometimes we call ourselves names, but they are on lighter notes. It was on that note, that day, my respected colleague Grace Ayensu Dankwa got up, and I knew it was the usual heckling because there are times she comes to sit at the front bench to heckle me.
“I don’t take it personally. We close and we stand outside to talk. We joke.”
The incident that sparked the controversy occurred when Afenyo-Markin, the Effutu MP, ordered Prof Ayensu to sit down during a parliamentary session, accusing her of being out of order.
The visibly frustrated Minority Leader questioned why she had been nominated for a ministerial position when more senior figures in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), such as Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Helen Ntoso, had not been considered.
“You came to meet Dr Zanetor here, and for some strange reason, it appears your name is being considered when even party stalwarts like Helen Ntoso are still waiting,” he stated at the time.
Prof Ayensu responded, describing Afenyo-Markin’s comments as offensive and discriminatory toward women in Parliament. She called on the Speaker to expunge the remarks from the record.
“Mr Speaker, there are only 14% of women in this House, and some of these statements are very discouraging… It makes it very difficult for women to speak when we face veiled threats and passive-aggressive behaviour,” she said.
In his recent remarks, Afenyo-Markin insisted his interaction with Prof Ayensu was intended as a light-hearted exchange, rooted in the often-playful banter common among MPs.
He recounted how he and Prof Ayensu had previously shared jokes and cordial relations, even meeting in private with other MPs after the incident to resolve any misunderstandings.
“We met in the office… We sat there and we talked as adults… I said, ‘Oh, but if you are offended, tell me. I will apologise to you.’ I thought we were joking.”
The Minority Leader expressed dismay at what he described as a deliberate effort by some non-governmental organisations and media outlets to portray him as disrespectful and anti-women.
“Only to see a certain NGO attacking me that I am attacking women. I said, How? We are a family.”
Afenyo-Markin further stressed his respect for women, pointing to his role as a husband and father.
He denied any intention to demean Prof Ayensu or undermine her nomination, adding that he had even praised her academic and professional achievements.
“She started as an art student… then she became a medical doctor. This is somebody to admire. And I respect and admire her. And she knows that.”
Meanwhile, the Effutu MP has already apologised to Prof Ayensu during a parliamentary vetting.
AM/SEA
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