Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin
Parliament has suspended proceedings for 40 minutes after the Majority and Minority sides failed to reach an agreement on the allocation of time and the ratio for debating the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Following President John Dramani Mahama’s presentation of the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, February 27, 2024, the House commenced debate on the address on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
However, shortly after the debate began, the Minority side raised objections over the Speaker’s selection of members to contribute.
According to Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin, the selection by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, which appeared to be based on the numerical strength of the caucuses, was unfair and inconsistent with parliamentary practices.
On the other hand, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga argued that equal representation in the debate would be discriminatory and inequitable, given the difference in numbers between the two sides.
After several minutes of disagreement, the Second Deputy Speaker announced a 40-minute suspension to allow the leaders of both sides to engage in discussions and resolve the matter.
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