Parliament was abruptly adjourned on Thursday after a heated confrontation between the Minority and the Speaker’s chair over the refusal to allow a statement on the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
The standoff escalated to the nearly physical removal of the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, by parliamentary marshals.
The tension erupted after the Majority Leader moved for adjournment following routine parliamentary business.
Dr. Afriyie, visibly agitated, rose to demand an urgent discussion on the GRNMA strike, which has crippled healthcare services nationwide since June 4.
The Deputy Speaker, however, ruled him out of order.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, pleaded with the First Deputy Speaker to temper the rules of the House due to the delicate and moral nature of the healthcare strike.
But Mr Ahiafor was firm, citing procedural breaches, adding that he was not ready to set a bad precedent by granting any such leave.
“I intend not to grant any leave,” he said.
When Afriyie insisted, the Deputy Speaker summoned marshals to escort him out, prompting shouts of protest from Minority MPs.
“Honourable Marshal, you’re hereby directed to walk Afriyie out of the house,” the first Deputy Speaker ordered.