By Gifty Boateng
The 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, ordered the Marshals to walk the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Effiduase/Asokore constituency in the Ashanti Region, out of the floor.
The incident on Tuesday June 10, nearly turned the chamber into a chaotic scene after the minority side waded into the matter and insisted, they will not allow the Marshals to carry out the order.
The whole incident unfolded after the MP out of the blue, requested the speaker to admit a motion to discuss the on-going strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwifery Association (GRNMA), which commenced last week.
As the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr Ayew expressed concern about the nationwide strike, which is biting very hard and affecting quality healthcare delivery. Without being directed to commence, the minority MP proceeded to read a paper in his hand.
The Minority Leader Alex Afenyo Markin also tried to persuade the speaker to see reason with the Ranking Member, but he will not give in. The NPP MP, who still stood on his feet and insisted the issue be discussed was then asked to take his seat but he did not heed.
The sit-in speaker explained that the issue could not be discussed at the last minutes of their sitting because it was not part of the day’s agenda and warned him not to proceed.
He went on to warn he will be forced to walk him out if he does not respect the orders.
“Honourable Afriyie if you dont take time i will ask the Marshals to walk you out of the house”, the speaker angrily said. Here, the MP who was still on his feet restored “I am not worried about, I am not worried about that. This is an issue of urgent public importance . I am ready to leave you can send me out what is the big deal.”
Other minority members shouted “then you can send all of us out; we are ready to go”.
He was again warned that if he did not take his seat, he will be walked out by the Marshal.
After many attempts to get him to take his seat, Ahiafor who is the MP for the Akatsi South constituency instructed one Marshal to proceed and walk the MP out.
“Honourable Marshal, you are hereby directed to walk Afriyie out of the house”, the speaker declared.
But when the Marshal moved to the side of the minority, the NPP MPs surrounded where their colleague was standing, built a wall of a sort and started shouting and gesturing that they will not allow the Marshal to walk their colleague out.
In the end, they succeeded in their stiff opposition and so the Marshal was unable to act and since it was time for the house to adjourn, the Speaker did as required of him.
“Honourable members, motion moved and seconded the question is, as many are in support say I…..those against say no. The Is have it. The house is adjourned”. The majority side which watched their colleagues keenly and at a point shouted “away” “away”, after the adjournment also said “go and do press conference.” Another member shouted “Press conference number 89”.
Moments before this, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General appeared before the house to explain why certain on-going cases started under the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government were stopped by the minister.