Ayariga and Afenyo-Markin clash over presidential meetings with parliamentary caucuses

Afenyo-Markin accused President John Dramani Mahama of discrimination for planning a meeting solely with members of the Majority Caucus. He argued that all 276 Members of Parliament deserve equal inclusion in discussions concerning welfare matters, questioning why the President would meet only one caucus and describing the move as unfair. In response, Ayariga defended the planned engagement, stating that during former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s tenure, neither he nor his colleagues on the Minority side at the time were invited to the Flagstaff House to discuss welfare issues.

Ayariga emphasized that MPs’ conditions of service are determined by an established emoluments committee, not through direct meetings with the President, though he acknowledged that presidents do meet with the leadership of both sides of Parliament.