The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has advised the newly appointed Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, to avoid excessive debate on the floor of Parliament, warning that it could impede the progress of government business.
Speaking during a session marking the leadership transition, Mr. Afenyo-Markin congratulated Mr. Ayariga and his team, acknowledging his exceptional debating and negotiation skills.
However, he emphasized the need for a balanced approach to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.
“Mahama Ayariga is a great debater; he loves his procedure. I know you enjoy the rules and will not let things go unattended. But let me remind you, as a government leader, if you introduce too much debate, government business will suffer. Excessive debate can derail progress,” he remarked.
Reflecting on their shared experience in the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin lauded Mr. Ayariga’s negotiation skills, describing him as a leader who values consensus and peacebuilding.
“We served together in the ECOWAS Parliament. You earned the respect of your colleagues across the sub-region for your dedication to negotiation and peacebuilding. I have great respect for your commitment to finding solutions, no matter how long it takes,” he added.
He also urged the new majority leadership to prioritize consensus-building, highlighting that most parliamentary decisions are resolved collaboratively.
“Over 90% of the issues on this floor are resolved through consensus. Only a few disagreements make it to the media. I hope that during your tenure, consensus-building remains a key focus,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin noted.
The Minority Leader assured the new leadership of the Minority’s respect and readiness to collaborate, emphasizing the shared responsibility of strengthening democracy and advancing policies that benefit the nation.
“We will work together to strengthen democracy and assure the nation that while we may represent NDC and NPP, our ultimate goal is to build systems and implement policies that serve the people,” he concluded.
READ ALSO: