The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has clapped back at the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, after accusing President John Dramani Mahama of discrimination.
The heated exchange stemmed from Mahama, who informed the House of an upcoming engagement between President Mahama and members of the Majority caucus, with Afenyo-Markin questioning why the Minority has been excluded from discussions on matters affecting all Members of Parliament.
According to Afenyo-Markin, President Mahama is supposed to be a father for all, stressing that issues relating to the welfare of MPs should involve both sides of the chamber.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, the Minority Leader stated, “We are aware that you are going to the presidency. Very discriminatory call. We have a 276-member chamber. The president, who is supposed to be a father for all, decided to only invite his side.
“We know the welfare issues that are going to be discussed. Mr Speaker, I don’t know whether you’ve been invited, but Mr Speaker, it is only the 180-something that the president has invited.
“When we have a 276-member house, and you say you’re going for a meeting, which meeting? This side of the house is part of the country, and the president is only inviting your side to take care of you.
“Mr Speaker, is that how we run a country? A president who is discriminatory? Mr Speaker, we protest this matter. The majority leader has failed parliament. How can you carry your side to the presidency? We will not agree. If the president is inviting parliament, all parliamentarians must be invited. And we will be there,” he said.
Reacting to Afenyo-Markin’s claims, Mahama Ayariga dismissed the concerns and highlighted that the Minority would also have an opportunity to engage the President.
According to Mahama Ayariga, the only meeting he attended with Akufo-Addo was with the emolument committee.
Mahama Ayariga on the floor of parliament stated, “Mr Speaker, for the record, I have been in this House throughout the period that Akufo-Addo was president. There was not a single occasion when I or any of my colleagues were invited to meet Akufo-Addo to discuss welfare matters.
“President Akufo-Addo never invited us on this side, at that time on that side, to go to the Flagstaff House to discuss any welfare issues. Our conditions of service are determined by a committee set up by the president, and that is the basis of the welfare of Members of Parliament. Mr Speaker, however, presidents make time to meet the leadership of both sides, and those meetings between the leadership of this side and that side at the time were held at the Flagstaff House under President Akufo-Addo,” he said.
Mahama Ayariga added, “What is your problem? I will take you to President John Mahama. I will take you there. In fact, your entire caucus. We have heard your plea and your appeal. There’s enough space. He will receive you. He will discuss with you the welfare of NPP as a party. Because he’s a father for all. He’s the father of NDC. He’s the father of NPP”.
“Throughout the period that Akufo-Addo was president, there was not a single occasion when I or any of my colleagues were invited to meet with him to discuss welfare matters. Former President Akufo-Addo never invited us, then on this side of the House, to the Flagstaff House to discuss any welfare issues,” Ayariga said.
Watch the video below:
The only meeting I attended with Akufo-Addo was with the emolument committee
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) June 23, 2026
– Ayariga claps back at Afenyo's allegation that "Akufo-Addo takes care of both sides of the House"#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/J6bm0nOqOk
