By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called for greater freedom for Minority Members of Parliament to speak and raise issues on the floor of the House, saying democracy thrives when all voices are heard.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Friday, January 30, 2025, Mr Afenyo-Markin said parliamentary rules should not be applied in ways that limit the Minority’s ability to perform its constitutional role effectively.
He noted that while the Speaker of Parliament is expected to remain neutral, it is also a political reality that the Speaker is a senior member of his party and may occasionally take decisions that appear to favour the government side.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said he does not believe in constantly complaining about such situations. Instead, he argued that the Minority must recognise the realities of politics and find lawful ways to keep its concerns on the national agenda.
According to him, the Speaker is an experienced and astute politician who played a significant role in guiding his party through difficult periods in opposition, making it unrealistic to expect him to offer the Minority a completely free platform at all times.
However, the Minority Leader stressed that parliamentary rules should be applied with wisdom and fairness. He said equity must prioritise substance over strict procedure, particularly when matters of national interest are being raised.
For the sake of democracy, he added, there should be moments when the rules are relaxed to allow the Minority to fully express its views.
Mr Afenyo-Markin concluded that even when space is limited, the Minority will continue to make maximum impact with the opportunities available, using parliamentary rules and procedures responsibly.
