The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is today addressing the significant chaos that erupted on the floor of Parliament during proceedings on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The disruption, which led to the premature adjournment of Parliament, stemmed from a heated confrontation between the Minority caucus and the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, over the latter’s refusal to permit a statement regarding the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
The industrial action by nurses and midwives, which commenced on June 4, has severely crippled healthcare services nationwide, with reports indicating a tragic increase in patient deaths as a direct consequence. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee and a medical practitioner himself, sought to bring this critical issue to the attention of the House. He requested an urgent discussion on the matter, emphasizing its immediate national emergency status.
However, Dr. Afriye’s request was vehemently rejected by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor. Ahiafor insisted that the Majority Leader had already moved for the adjournment of the House, thereby precluding any further statements or debates on the GRNMA strike.
Dissatisfied with the Deputy Speaker’s decision, Dr. Afriye, who is also the Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore, stood his ground and insisted on being heard. He reiterated the grave urgency of the matter, highlighting the severe impact of the strike on public health and the loss of lives. This defiance immediately ignited a heated argument within the parliamentary chamber. The Minority side, recognizing the critical nature of the issue and showing solidarity with their colleague, quickly rallied behind Dr. Afriye, vociferously demanding that he be allowed to make his statement and address the national crisis.
The situation escalated dramatically when Deputy Speaker Ahiafor, known for his sometimes abrasive approach to managing parliamentary proceedings, issued a directive to the Marshal of Parliament. His order was unequivocal: remove the Honourable Nana Ayew Afriye from the chamber.
As the Marshal began to move towards Dr. Afriye to execute the order, Minority Members of Parliament swiftly responded. In a clear act of defiance and protection, they converged around Dr. Afriye, forming a protective cordon to physically prevent his removal from the chamber. This standoff further plunged the House into disarray, ultimately forcing the early adjournment of parliamentary business. The incident underscores the heightened tensions within Parliament concerning the critical national issues, particularly the ongoing healthcare crisis exacerbated by the nurses’ strike. Speaker Bagbin now faces the challenging task of restoring order and finding a path forward amidst this charged atmosphere.
Watch a livestream of the sitting below:
Source: Thepressradio.com
