Ayariga Fires Warning at Afenyo-Markin Over “Relentless” Attacks on Ayensu-Danquah

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has called on Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to stop what he described as repeated verbal attacks on Deputy Health Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah. The tension flared in Parliament during proceedings on the Governance Advisory Council Bill, 2025, after Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, who is also MP for Essikado-Ketan, moved for the bill to be read a second time. “I move that the Governance Advisory Council Bill 2025 be now read a second time,” she stated. Afenyo-Markin immediately challenged her, questioning her handling of the motion. “We want to understand what is happening in this chamber. What did the Deputy Minister of Health just do? We don’t understand. If the Majority wants someone to act, they should teach them to do it correctly,” he said. Responding, Ayariga said the attacks had become a pattern. “This attitude of always attacking this particular MP must stop. At every opportunity, he targets her. Mr. Speaker, what has she done? If there’s an issue, let us know. To attack her this way is not fair,” he stated. Despite the heated exchange, Parliament passed the Governance Advisory Council Bill, 2025, aimed at strengthening accountable governance, enhancing institutional collaboration, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and promoting transparency and participatory democracy in the country.