'You're too small to disrespect this house' - Mahama Ayariga berates Afenyo-Markin

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariqa, has lambasted Alexander Kwamena Aferyo-Markin, accusing him of disrespect and repeatedly disrupting parliamentary proceedings. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on November 13, 2025, following the presentation of the 2026 Budget, Mahama Ayariqa stated that the Minority caucus, including its leader, had been engaging in acts of indiscipline and defiance of Parliament’s Standing Orders.

Quoting Standing Order 126, Mahama Ayariqa emphasised that the Minority caucus had disrespected the Speaker and the people of Ghana, prompting him to file a motion for contempt of Parliament against Aferyo-Markin. "Whilst we are addressing this House and facilitating the laying of papers, our friends oppose it; not only remaining on their feet, but also obstructing, disrespecting you, disrespecting the Chair, disrespecting the mace, and disrespecting the people of Ghana.

Mr. Speaker, you may choose to tolerate that, but this side of the House will not tolerate it." He further demanded that Aferyo-Markin render an unqualified apology to the Speaker for what he described as misconduct and disrespect toward Alban Bagbin and Ghanaians.

Majority files motion for contempt of Parliament against Aferyo-Markin "Mr Speaker, I demand that the Minority Leader now apologise to your good self for this gross misconduct and misbehaviour. Mr Speaker, if he does not, I will raise a question of contempt of Parliament and abuse of privilege and ask you to rule on it now," he added.

He additionally noted that his side of the caucus would not sit aloof for the Minority Leader to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and undermine the Speaker. According to Mahama Ayariqa, the Minority Leader has no authority to repeatedly disregard parliamentary proceedings; therefore, Speaker Alban Bagbin should refer him to Parliament’s Privileges Committee.

"This House will not be abused by Honourable Aferyo-Markin. He is too small to abuse this mace.

He is too small to disrespect the Speaker while all of us sit and watch you. "I am raising the question of contempt of Parliament and breach of privilege, and I am asking you to rule on that matter.