The Minority in Parliament staged a walkout on Thursday, July 17, 2025, following criticism from Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga over the manner in which Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin announced the death of former MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in the absence of Speaker Alban Bagbin.
Ayariga took issue with Afenyo-Markin’s decision to communicate the MP’s passing without the Speaker present, describing it as a breach of parliamentary protocol and constitutional procedure.
He argued that it is the Speaker’s responsibility to formally notify the House of a vacancy, not the Minority Leader.
“Are we to treat the communication from the leader of the minority caucus in this House, that our colleague belonging to his side is no more, as a communication that the seat has become vacant? Because vacancy occurs when the person passes, and there’s no doubt about the passing. This House, ordinarily, has never in the past discussed the matter until there was an official communication by the Speaker,” Ayariga stated.
However, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin justified his action, insisting that “he issued a clear caveat.”
The tense exchange prompted the Minority to exit the chamber in protest, further deepening tensions within the House.
Addressing the press afterward, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe described the Majority Leader’s remarks as “insensitive.”
Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Suhum, passed away on July 7, 2025.
His death came just months after a lengthy legal battle regarding his eligibility to serve as MP. In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted him of contempt for defying an injunction that barred his swearing-in. A bench warrant was subsequently issued after he failed to appear for sentencing.
JKB/MA
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