Ghanaian minority stages walkout over deputy speaker's ruling on SIM registration query

Ghana's Minority Caucus staged a brief walkout from Parliament, protesting the First Deputy Speaker's ruling that disallowed a supplementary question from the Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin. The caucus accused the Deputy Speaker of employing parliamentary Standing Orders to obstruct their oversight function and prevent ministers from being held accountable.

The protest erupted after the First Deputy Speaker, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, ruled Mr. Afenyo-Markin's question out of order. The question sought details on the total number of SIM cards registered using stolen identities and the government's expenditure on a new SIM re-registration exercise. The Minister of Communication, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, had previously informed Parliament that the exercise was being restarted due to issues with the previous one, including identity theft, and assured it would be free for citizens.

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Anytime our backbenchers have the opportunity to be on their feet, he will use the rules to frustrate them.

Mr. Ahiafor cited Standing Order 89(1), stating that the supplementary question did not arise from the minister's original response. Dissatisfied, Mr. Afenyo-Markin attempted to challenge the ruling before leading his caucus members out of the chamber.

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The rules are not meant to be used to intimidate, frustrate and, as he is trying to do, bring Parliament to a standstill.

Addressing reporters after the walkout, Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticized the First Deputy Speaker, alleging a pattern of using rules to frustrate backbenchers and bring parliamentary proceedings to a standstill. He emphasized that the question was of public interest, particularly regarding the procurement process for the new SIM registration, and expressed that the Minority had shown considerable tolerance for the Deputy Speaker's conduct.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within Ghana's Parliament regarding procedural matters and the extent to which the opposition can scrutinize government actions. The Minority's action underscores their commitment to holding the executive accountable, even if it means disrupting legislative proceedings.

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We’ve tolerated the First Deputy Speaker for quite some time. Even today, you will realise that the question I was asking was a public interest question.