In a moment that became a reference point for parliamentary decorum, Deputy Health Minister-designate Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah delivered a pointed lesson on proper apologies to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
This occurred during her vetting on Friday, July 25, 2025, transforming what could have been a routine exchange into a defining moment of leadership and respect.
The Exchange
Tension arose when Afenyo-Markin attempted to apologise for controversial remarks he made during a previous parliamentary debate. The Effutu MP had questioned the “strange reasons” behind Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s nomination and suggested favouritism over other qualified female MPs, including NDC’s Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.
A Conditional Apology
What could have been a straightforward apology soon turned into a masterclass in assertive dignity.
“If my remarks on the floor made you feel harassed, then I am sorry,” Afenyo-Markin said—an attempt that many saw as conditional and evasive.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, the Essikado-Ketan MP in the Western Region, responded calmly but firmly:
“Technically though, when you apologise, you don’t have to qualify it with an ‘if’.”
Her correction cut through the committee room with surgical precision, prompting the Minority Leader to recalibrate.
A Teachable Moment
“To the extent that you felt I had crossed the red line, I say to you I’m sorry. Is that fair?” Afenyo-Markin rephrased.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah accepted the revised apology, but not before delivering perhaps the most memorable line of the encounter:
“Once you apologise, you don’t have to keep going.”
Public Reflection
The incident has since sparked wider discussion on parliamentary conduct, respect for women in leadership, and the art of a genuine apology.
Analysts say the exchange exposed deeper concerns about civility in Ghana’s political discourse, particularly since Afenyo-Markin assumed the Minority Leadership role.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s handling of the moment has won praise across political lines, with many applauding her calm, dignified approach in drawing clear boundaries.
Setting the Standard
The original controversy stemmed from remarks implying that her nomination lacked merit—a claim that drew swift backlash. Yet it was her poised response that shifted public attention toward the qualities she embodies.
As Ghana continues to grapple with issues of mutual respect in public life, Friday’s exchange may well be remembered for the grace and authority of a first-time MP who refused to let a dismissive tone go unchallenged.
While Parliament’s vetting committee is yet to issue its verdict on the nominees, one thing is clear: Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah has already demonstrated the kind of leadership Ghana needs—principled, respectful, and unapologetically firm.
Source: Adomonline.com
ALSO READ:
