Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over plans to meet members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament, describing the move as discriminatory.
His comments followed an announcement by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga that President Mahama would be meeting with members of the Majority caucus.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that issues concerning the welfare of Members of Parliament should involve all MPs and not only members of the governing party.
“We are aware that you are going to the presidency. Very discriminatory call. We have a 276-member chamber. The president, who is supposed to be a father for all, has decided to invite only his side,” he said.
The Minority Leader maintained that any discussions on parliamentary welfare should be conducted on a bipartisan basis since all MPs are equally affected by such matters.
“This side of the House is part of the country, and the president is only inviting your side to take care of you. If the president is inviting Parliament, all parliamentarians must be invited,” he stated.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further argued that under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, welfare-related matters were handled in a way that benefited the entire House rather than a single caucus.
He also accused the Majority Leader of failing to adequately represent the interests of Parliament by limiting the engagement to one side of the chamber.
However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga dismissed the concerns and assured the Minority that arrangements could be made for them to also meet the President.
“What is your problem? I will take you to President John Mahama. I will take you there. In fact, your entire caucus. We have heard your plea and your appeal,” Mr Ayariga said.
He added that President Mahama was willing to engage members of both political parties and described him as “a father for all.”
Mr Ayariga also rejected claims that former President Akufo-Addo had engaged both sides of Parliament on welfare matters during his tenure.
“Throughout the period that Akufo-Addo was president, there was not a single occasion when I or any of my colleagues were invited to meet with him to discuss welfare matters,” he stated.
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