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Ghanaian Minority Caucus stages walkout over Deputy Speaker's ruling on SIM re-registration questions
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Ghana's Minority Caucus in Parliament staged a walkout on July 15, 2026, after First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor ruled against a supplementary question from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Afenyo-Markin sought clarification from the Minister of Communication regarding the cost and procurement procedures for the government's planned SIM card re-registration. The Deputy Speaker deemed the question outside the scope of the original inquiry. Afenyo-Markin accused the First Deputy Speaker of using parliamentary rules to impede the Minority's oversight functions and frustrate members, stating that the supplementary question was relevant and in the public interest, particularly concerning the cost of the SIM registration to the nation. He cited Parliament's Standing Order 89.1, which permits supplementary questions for clarification based on a minister's answer. Afenyo-Markin indicated that the walkout was a culmination of ongoing frustrations with the Deputy Speaker's conduct, but confirmed the Minority would return to the chamber for other parliamentary business.
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