The Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has strongly criticized the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annor Dompreh, over what he described as an appalling attempt at equalization regarding the recent insult directed at Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings in Parliament.
The incident, which occurred during the approval of President John Mahama’s final batch of Ministers of State, saw an unidentified Minority MP refer to Dr. Zanetor Rawlings as “the daughter of a murderer.”
The derogatory remark sparked widespread public outrage and calls for disciplinary action, prompting Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to condemn the act and issue an apology to the Korley Klottey MP.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga expressed his dismay over the conduct of the Minority Chief Whip, accusing him of attempting to shift focus from the gravity of the issue by making an equalization argument.
“With all due respect, I find the conduct of the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annor Dompreh, appalling. Mr. Speaker, a matter of such grave national significance occurs, and you come, you make a statement, you apologize on behalf of the house to the family and our honorable colleague, and to Ghanaians, and all the Minority Chief Whip seeks to do is equalize?”.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central
He further called for the individual responsible for the derogatory comment to boldly identify themselves. “If the person is a man, the person should stand up and let’s see. The person will not stand up because the person knows that what he did is wrong,” he insisted.
Hon. Ayariga emphasized that the remarks by the unidentified MP were unacceptable and disgraceful, highlighting that it was inappropriate for the Minority Chief Whip to use the occasion to make counterarguments rather than addressing the core issue.
“Oh, so you know the person? Do you know the person? Mr. Speaker, I think what the Minority Chief Whip has done is most unfair. If you have an issue with what Murtala Mohammed said, please come properly.
“Not to use this occasion when the Speaker has so beautifully apologized to this country and to our honorable colleague, but then you try to bring in a statement that Murtala Mohammed boldly and confidently made in this house, defended it, and established that it was written by authors.”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central
Hon. Murtala Mohammed, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, had previously criticized the late JB Danquah, describing him as a “betrayer” in a debate over the latter’s contribution to Ghana’s independence.
However, Hon. Ayariga argued that unlike the unidentified MP who made the derogatory remark in secrecy, Hon. Murtala Mohammed stood by his words, defended his position, and provided authoritative citations.
“Meanwhile, you haven’t gone to read the book to come back and tell us that the author didn’t say it. You haven’t done that. As a Member of Parliament, he is free to express his views in the chamber openly and confidently”.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central
Hon. Ayariga did not mince words in describing the anonymous comment as disgraceful and unacceptable within the legislative house, reaffirming his call for accountability.
“Not to do this disgraceful thing that was done that day; you hide and then shout and malign somebody for nothing, and when we seek to correct it, you want to politicize it, you want to equalize? Is this the occasion to be seeking to equalize? Honestly, I find this most unfortunate. It is unfortunate”.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central
He assured the House and the general public that the issue was being investigated seriously and that those responsible would be held accountable.
“Let me assure you that indeed some serious investigation is going on. And like I said, the full weight of this side of the house will be brought to bear on the Privileges Committee. So please, let us leave the matter there and proceed”.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central
The incident has drawn strong reactions from both the political class and civil society organizations, with many calling for disciplinary action against the MP responsible for the derogatory remarks.
Political analysts have described the matter as an example of the growing intolerance and lack of decorum in Ghana’s parliamentary discourse. Hon. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey Korle, has yet to officially comment on the incident.
However, many supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have expressed solidarity with her, calling for stringent measures to be taken against the unnamed MP.
With pressure mounting on the leadership of Parliament to take decisive action, Speaker Bagbin’s apology and order for probe has been welcomed, but many believe that further disciplinary measures must be enforced to serve as a deterrent to future infractions of parliamentary decorum.
READ ALSO: VAALCO Energy Secures Operatorship of Ivory Coast Block
