- Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga criticises Minority MPs for wearing masks and disrupting proceedings
- Describes their actions as shameful and harmful to parliamentary dignity
- Minority refused government business to continue until issue is resolved
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has condemned some Minority MPs for wearing face masks and disrupting parliamentary proceedings, calling their actions “cowardly” and “shameful.”
In an interview on the AM Show on Wednesday, Ayariga said the conduct of the MPs undermines the dignity of Parliament and the country’s commitment to the rule of law.
“This is a country that upholds the rule of law,” he stated. “Why wear face masks and interrupt parliamentary business? It is extremely shameful to enter the chamber faceless and behave rudely.”
He questioned why MPs who claim to be acting on principle would hide their identities, arguing that anyone confident in their actions should not need concealment.
“If you truly believe in what you are doing and are convinced you’re right, why cover your face and act disorderly in Parliament?” he asked.
His remarks follow Tuesday’s chaotic scenes in Parliament, where Minority MPs demanded an adjournment after Speaker Alban Bagbin deferred his ruling on the contested Kpandai parliamentary seat.
Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh insisted that no government business proceed until the issue was resolved, but the Speaker decided—after a voice vote—that sittings would continue.
The Minority reacted by chanting and attempting to disrupt proceedings, resulting in a heated standoff.
Earlier, tensions heightened when the Minority prevented Ayariga from responding to calls for the withdrawal of a December 4, 2025, letter from the Clerk to Parliament, which informed Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency following a High Court order for a rerun of the 2024 election.
Ayariga warned that such disruptive behaviour, especially by MPs concealing their identities, threatens the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.
“If we allow this to continue, we will be undermining our democratic system,” he cautioned.
Parliament is expected to reconvene as leaders on both sides consider the way forward regarding the Kpandai rerun and the recent disruptions.
