Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has declined to refer Effiduase-Asokore MP, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, to the Privileges Committee following a heated altercation in the House on Wednesday over the ongoing nurses’ strike.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between the Minority and First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, whose handling of the matter nearly led to a physical confrontation.
The uproar erupted on June 10 when Dr. Ayew Afriyie, who serves as Ranking Member on the Health Committee, attempted to present an urgent statement on the strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), which has disrupted healthcare services nationwide since June 4.
First Deputy Speaker Ahiafor, presiding over the House, blocked the move on procedural grounds and ordered the MP’s ejection after he continued to press for a hearing. His action triggered strong protests from the Minority side.
In his remarks to Parliament on Thursday, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the seriousness of the nurses’ strike but chastised Dr. Afriyie for sidestepping established leadership procedures.
He emphasized that urgent statements must go through the proper channels, stressing that the title ‘Honourable’ is not merely symbolic but carries a duty of decorum and respect for the chair.
The Speaker, however, stopped short of initiating disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has pledged his side’s full cooperation with the Speaker to maintain order and uphold parliamentary procedure.
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