A violent argument between the Minority and the Speaker’s chair over the Speaker’s unwillingness to permit a statement on the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association’s (GRNMA) ongoing strike led to the premature adjournment of Parliament on Thursday.
Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, was almost physically removed by legislative marshals as the situation heated up.
After the Majority Leader moved for adjournment after regular parliamentary business, tensions flared.
Dr. Afriyie, who was clearly upset, stood up to call for an immediate meeting to address the GRNMA strike, which has been crippling healthcare services across the country since June 4.
But the Deputy Speaker declared him to be out of order.
Given the sensitive and ethical nature of the healthcare strike, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin begged the First Deputy Speaker to relax the House’s norms.
Citing procedural violations, Mr. Ahiafor was adamant, saying he wasn’t prepared to create a negative precedent by issuing any kind of leave.
“I intend not to grant any leave,” he reiterated.
Minority MPs yelled in protest when the Deputy Speaker called marshals to take Afriyie out when he insisted.
The first Deputy Speaker gave the order, “Honorable Marshal, you are hereby directed to walk Afriyie out of the house.”
Source: newsthemegh.com