In a heated exchange on the floor of Parliament, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga took a strong stance against Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, accusing him of disrespect and disrupting parliamentary proceedings. Ayariga's remarks came in the wake of the 2026 Budget presentation, where the Minority caucus, including its leader, was accused of engaging in acts of indiscipline and defiance of Parliament's Standing Orders. Quoting Standing Order 126, Ayariga emphasized the Minority's disrespect towards the Speaker and the people of Ghana, prompting him to file a motion for contempt of Parliament against Afenyo-Markin. He stated that the Minority's behavior, including opposing the Budget, remaining on their feet, obstructing, and disrespecting the Speaker, the Chair, the mace, and the people of Ghana, was unacceptable. Ayariga demanded an unqualified apology from Afenyo-Markin to the Speaker for what he described as misconduct and disrespect towards Alban Bagbin and Ghanaians. He also threatened to raise a question of contempt of Parliament and abuse of privilege if the apology was not forthcoming. Ayariga further emphasized that his side of the caucus would not tolerate the Minority Leader's disruptions and that the Speaker should refer him to Parliament's Privileges Committee. He concluded by stating that the House would not be abused by Afenyo-Markin and that he was too small to disrespect the Speaker and the mace while the rest of the members watched.
