By Grace Zigah
Outgoing Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has offered a striking assessment of his former parliamentary opponent, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, praising him for qualities that go beyond the heated exchanges often associated with Majority–Minority politics.
Ayariga described Afenyo-Markin as a man of integrity, honesty, fortitude and forthrightness, while acknowledging that his uncompromising approach to parliamentary business could sometimes put him at odds with members of the Majority Caucus.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee following his nomination as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Bawku Central MP reflected on his interactions with Afenyo-Markin over the past year and a half.
Ayariga said he deliberately chose not to frustrate the Minority Leader when he vigorously challenged government decisions because he understood that Afenyo-Markin was simply performing the responsibilities attached to his position.
He disclosed that members of his own side occasionally questioned why he appeared to tolerate the Minority Leader’s interventions, but said he regarded the exchanges as part of the democratic process.
“Sometimes my own people ask me, ‘Why do you allow Afenyo to say all these kinds of things?’ But I tell them to allow him to play his role as Minority Leader, and I will find a way to get the decisions taken my way,” he said.
He said Afenyo-Markin’s toughness did not prevent him from engaging in consensus-building when necessary, describing him as “honest” and a parliamentarian with “integrity.”
He subsequently cautioned the incoming Majority Leader to be prepared for robust engagements with the Minority Leader, saying he had personally sometimes exercised tolerance because of their age difference and experience.
“I hope you and my successor will find common ground to work together. I have already told him that he shouldn’t be yielding to you always,” Mahama Ayariga said.
He added that his successor should expect Afenyo-Markin to respond forcefully to issues, suggesting that the new parliamentary leadership would have to combine confrontation with dialogue to get business done.
Ayariga further disclosed that he genuinely enjoyed working with Afenyo-Markin and expressed appreciation for the cooperation he received from the Minority Caucus, observing that there were instances when the Minority appeared more willing to accommodate him than some members of his own Majority Caucus.
