By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Jan 9, GNA – A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Ghana’s Parliament on Wednesday, as Speaker Alban Bagbin referred to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) members as a “micro-minority.”
This description, made during a heated debate, instantly sparked protests from the Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, who considered the term unbefitting of parliamentary discourse.
The NPP Minority side erupted in agitation, filling the floor with chants against the Speaker’s choice of words.
Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that the term undermined the dignity of the NPP Caucus, saying: “The Minority Caucus hereby protest the description given to us by the Speaker.”
“…Mr Speaker, we do not have any micro minority. Mr Speaker, the minority caucus hereby protests the description given to us…,” he said.
The NPP Minority Leader highlighted the role the Caucus played in supporting Mr Bagbin’s election as Speaker, despite and alleged opposition from the Majority.
“…Mr Speaker, we seconded the motion for your election. When the so-called majority was even conspiring against you, we protested. We stopped them from that conspiracy. Mr Speaker, it was us, the minority of conscience,” he said.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin insisted that the term “micro minority” was unacceptable and urged the Speaker to address them as “minority.”
In response, Speaker Bagbin pointed out that Mr. Afenyo-Markin had previously used the term in a similar context.
He, however, agreed that the term was unparliamentary and that the Minority Leader was right to speak against its use on the Floor of the House.
The term “micro-minority” was first coined by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on December 13, 2024, in response to comments by the then-Majority Leader, Mr. Afenyo-Markin, on democracy.
The incident highlighted the intense partisan tensions within Parliament, as the NPP and NDC continued to engage in heated debates and exchanges.
The use of the term “micro-minority” has added fuel to the fire, sparking concerns about the tone of parliamentary discourse.
GNA