A heated debate erupted in Parliament over the Free SHS policy after Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, sought clarification from the Ranking Member for Education, Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe.
The controversy arose when Afenyo-Markin referred to media reports suggesting that Nortsu-Kotoe, MP for Akatsi North, was against the introduction of a Free SHS bill, which has yet to be presented to Parliament.
“I would like to address a matter of public importance raised by the Member of Parliament and Ranking Member on Education for Akatsi North, Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe. He allegedly stated that he is kicking against the bill being introduced. I believe this is a forum where he can clarify his stance so we can properly understand his views because media reports can sometimes misquote or misrepresent,” said Afenyo-Markin.
But while Afenyo-Markin was speaking, the Deputy Minority Leader approached Nortsu-Kotoe for a conversation.
Following this, Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, responded, stating that Afenyo-Markin was out of order.
“The Majority Leader is completely out of order. He based his comments on a media report, which is not before this House. Our standing orders allow us to ask questions directly to colleagues. If you want to know his thoughts on Free SHS, file a question, and he will answer you,” Agbodza said.
Afenyo-Markin insisted that he was not asking a question but seeking clarification, adding that the rules of the House fortified him since it is a matter of national concern.
Minority Chief Whip Agbodza reiterated that there was no Free SHS bill currently before Parliament.
He emphasized that if such a bill were introduced, the Minority would then take a position.
He also clarified that the Minority Leader had stated that the Minority was not against Free SHS.
The Speaker of Parliament intervened, noting that leadership had previously agreed not to spend too much time in the chamber and had planned a conclave.
However, another MP insisted that the matter was important and deserved discussion.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, expressed his support for Afenyo-Markin’s request, stating that he saw nothing wrong with the Majority Leader’s demands.
At this point, about five Minority MPs were on their feet, a situation that further intensified the tension in the House.
A furious Murtala Mohammed, MP for Tamale Central, voiced his frustration, highlighting the lack of attendance from the Majority side.
“The challenges confronting us would not have happened, and I can quote what you have said, ‘that the NDC is to scrap the Free SHS’. My point has to do with the unseriousness on the team he leads. There are only seven Majority MPs present; yesterday they were just five. Now you think that it is important for us to discuss this matter. You are a leader of government business; what should be of concern to you is to ensure your members are in the House. I came here at 8 am, your members are still not here at 5:50 pm. They are following your presidential candidate, dancing Azonto, and saying, ‘Give me the steer’,” he said.
During the ongoing debate, the MP for Ho West raised concerns about the quorum, indicating that only 10 MPs from the Majority and 30 from the Minority were present in the House.
The Speaker instructed that the bell be rung, warning that if the House did not form quorum, it would be adjourned.
This move was supported by Dominic Ayine, who cited procedural rules to address the quorum issue.
The rest of the debate in the House centered on issues regarding the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and the third witness in the ongoing ambulance case at an Accra High Court, Richard Jakpa.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
