Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has criticised the Minority in Parliament for walking out during proceedings on the government’s proposed SIM card re-registration exercise, describing the protest as unnecessary and contrary to parliamentary procedure.
The Minority staged the walkout after the First Deputy Speaker ruled a supplementary question on the cost of the proposed nationwide SIM card re-registration exercise out of order.
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Responding to the protest, Mr. Ayariga said Parliament’s Standing Orders give the presiding officer the authority to determine whether supplementary questions are admissible and that Members of Parliament are obliged to respect such rulings.
“You ask the minister a question, the minister answers, then you want to ask supplementary questions. The Speaker rules against you, you show gross disregard for the Speaker and then you walk out,” he said.
He argued that repeated confrontational conduct by the Minority had contributed to tensions in the House, stressing that parliamentary proceedings must be guided by the Standing Orders rather than individual preferences.
“When you have that attitude, even on simple matters, we too will stand our ground. It is the rules that will govern proceedings, not what any individual wants,” he stated.
Mr. Ayariga, however, said he personally believes Members should be allowed to ask supplementary questions based on any information provided by a minister during proceedings.
“My personal view is that when the minister comes and opens his mouth in the Chamber, whatever he says, Parliament should be able to hold him accountable for it,” he noted.
He maintained, however, that the interpretation and application of the Standing Orders rest with the presiding officer and urged Members to resolve disagreements through the appropriate parliamentary procedures rather than disrupting parliamentary business.
