The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has faced significant scrutiny and criticism on social media, particularly on X, following his proposal for a hospital specifically for Members of Parliament and a new parliamentary chamber.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board for the ninth Parliament on Monday, March 17, 2025, the Effutu MP emphasised the distinct challenges parliamentarians face in accessing private healthcare.
He stated that creating a hospital solely dedicated to MPs would be a crucial measure in protecting the health and privacy of lawmakers.
“Mr Speaker, there are two things that I hope for in this ninth parliament. One is a hospital for parliament. If it does happen, according to your vision, it will be a great milestone. We are a political class and our health issues must be known within certain confines. Because of confidentiality issues, people travel abroad at great cost for medical support. I believe if we are able to deal with this, it will help,” he stated.
However, his proposal has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians, with many expressing anger and outrage.
Critics have questioned the moral standing of the lawmaker, arguing that it is inappropriate to propose such projects at a time when the economy is slowly recovering and the country is burdened with significant debt.
Critics also argue that the proposed hospital would be a waste of resources, pointing out that there are numerous well-established hospitals across the country offering quality healthcare services. They contend that the focus should be on improving existing facilities rather than creating a new one solely for parliamentarians.
On the other hand, some netizens have expressed their disappointment with Afenyo-Markin, accusing him of perpetuating a sense of elitism and fostering division between the political class and ordinary Ghanaians.
They argue that his proposal fosters a perception of superiority, which they believe could be detrimental by further widening the existing divide between the political class and ordinary Ghanaians, potentially deepening the gap between lawmakers and their constituents.
Read some of the Posts under the trending topic below:
Ah, so Afenyo Markin thought that Dr Ato Forson who is busily forcing everyone to adhere to fiscal discipline and cut expenditure would release money for a new parliament and parliamentary hospital? Ei 😂
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) March 17, 2025
Whatever happens, no matter the situation in Ghana, when you ever see Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on the ballot for President, fleeeeeee.
Nothing is more dangerous for our democracy than a certain idea that some people belong to a class separate and above the rest of…
— Julius Kwame Anthony 𓃵 (@fatheranthoni) March 17, 2025
Hon.Afenyo-Markin you could have advice
Akufo-Addo to use the $58M to build a new chamber but u rather supported him to waste it. why now??— Mahama 2024 president (@CitizenTechiman) March 17, 2025
Report it well wai. Amidst the economic turmoil we’re in and all the cost cutting measures govt is implementing, Afenyo-Markin, the minority leader is strongly pushing for Parliament to construct a new chamber and hospital exclusively for parlimematarians. https://t.co/ZWoj9x7XRI
— BANNERMAN (@frank_bannerman) March 17, 2025
That short bofrot pulled down the La General Hospital that served 1000’s of people, refused to reconstruct it yet put up a billboard thanking himself. Today Afenyo-Markin is saying we should put up a hospital for mp’s alone. Nobody who wants a better Ghana will support the Npp
— Joe🇬🇭 (@Papa_Of0ri) March 17, 2025
Afenyo-Markin looked at how a virus operates in the human body and decided to embody it as a character.
This “ɔha adwen oo” persona might impress you, but it does nothing for me. https://t.co/8R3h3hkmI2— 𝖐𝖔𝖇𝖇𝖞 – 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆 (@KobbyKiko) March 17, 2025
NEW CHAMBER & MPs HOSPITAL?
Thanks to Mahama Ayariga Esq. for shooting down Afenyo-Markin’s proposal for MPs Hospital and new Chamber.
How can you come up with this idea in times of great austerity? Keep it going like this Hon. Majority Leader! 🫶🏾📌🔥 pic.twitter.com/7eL2gUdZ0E
— MPK 𓃵 (@MPKwarteng_) March 17, 2025
This Afenyo Markin wants to live in total luxury at our expense.
We’ve wasted so much money we can’t account for and the economy is hanging on a thin thread but you’re still proposing ways to spend money irresponsibly again! https://t.co/mprqBWg42h
— El-Presidentey 🇭🇹🇰🇪🇬🇭🇯🇲🇨🇮 (@Cosmic_El) March 18, 2025
Why does Afenyo Markin keep using the term ‘political class’ and feel like they deserve superior treatment from the rest of Ghanaians? We know some people are above the law, but should you keep saying it out loud?
— Citizen Kay 🇬🇭🇨🇮🇿🇦 (@izaq_kwasi) March 17, 2025
It’s deeply troubling how Afenyo Markin is so determined to separate the so-called “political class” from the ordinary Ghanaian. His obsession with this divide exposes a blatant classist mindset, one that has no place in leadership. This is a caution to his constituents.
— Kweku Ba Bonee (@De_favoured1) March 17, 2025
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
