Afenyo-Markin vs. Jinapor: The “dirty” verbal altercation between two close friends in parliament

For the record, the MPs who were directly impacted by the man-made floods in the Volta Region and other parts of the nation caused by the water spillage from the Akosombo Dam were already dissatisfied with a number of issues prior to the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, appearing before parliament to give an update on the situation. Among such were the government's lack of dedication to giving the tens of thousands of people impacted by the spilled hope, despite the fact that the government has been primarily held responsible for the disaster due to an exercise carried out by the Volta River Authority (VRA). Therefore, it was anticipated that things may slightly worsen following his speech to parliament on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, when a few lawmakers, particularly those whose constituencies have been impacted, stood up to speak. But there was a brief but heated moment when two close friends from the Majority and Minority sides of the House clashed over a charge made by one of them. This has to do with giving relief supplies to the Central Gonja District's impacted residents. In response to the energy minister's testimony in parliament, local member John Jinapor brought up a troubling point: according to reports, the distribution of aid was being overseen by the chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in his backyard. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, strongly objected to the assertions and called for the necessity of separating politics from such a delicate job. He asked his close buddy Jon Jinapor to take back the comment because it lacked proof, but the former swiftly refuted him by presenting video evidence to back up his assertions. The two MPs exchanged challenges and counterchallenges over the next three minutes, with Below are transcriptions of the two men's exchanges from GhanaWeb, along with comments made by Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament Emmanual Kofi Armarh Buah. John Jinapor's submission comes first: "This challenge of giving relief supplies is not one that can be solved. What's more unsettling is that I'm from the Central Gonja District. Presently, and this may sound politicized, but that is the actual situation: the NPP chairman is in charge of organizing the relief supplies' distribution in Buipe. That's the reality, he said. "I believe this House should rise above all of these issues and deal with the issues the way they should be dealt with," he stated. "People are using this as political football." Afenyo-Markin: "Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, these are the current rules that govern the matter that is being discussed. I humbly request that my esteemed colleague remove the portion of his contribution stating that the NPP chairman is providing relief supplies. Previously, Mr. Speaker, the stance was that the constituency had received no attention at all; now, this has altered to include an NPP chairman. "I believe that this is a delicate topic; it is of national nature, as stated by the acting Leader at the time. So, should we concentrate on this issue and formulate our contributions along these lines? Emmanuel Armarh Buah: “Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Majority Leader, I thought was going to say that point that was made was factually-incorrect or was untrue, but he couldn’t say that. You are saying that it’s not true. He didn’t say that.” Jinapor: "Mr. Speaker, I take these matters seriously and this is a serious matter." This is a video, Mr. Speaker—a video. The NPP chairman is shown here with the relief supplies, which the media ought to photograph. This is it. "I don't just show up here and start throwing stuff around like that. Mr. Speaker may choose to exclude me, but the people of Central Guinea are truthful and when I express the truth, he claims that it is not true, despite the fact that you should be supporting me so that we act morally. I believe I'll come sit here and speculate. You believe that I'll come sit here and sell "You are my friend, at least. I won't do that, you know that. Thus, when I bring up these points, it's important—very important. Thus, Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with a situation in which we are begging that we not politicize the distribution of these products," he continued. Afenyo-Markin: This is the House of Records, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all he did to support his position was to show us a picture of a person standing someplace with specific objects behind them. With all due respect, Mr. Speaker—we are aware of the rules—would my esteemed colleague please withdraw that portion of his submission? Since it's only right, I'm submitting an application. Armarh Buah It is quite evident that the honorable member is prepared to provide the video evidence. Therefore, there isn't anything to dispute. He is prepared to give it to this House having provided video proof to support his claims. It serves no purpose to argue. Afenyo-Markin: "Mr. Speaker, the minister's statement, which you acknowledged, was admitted in accordance with Order 72. And we are required by regulation, Mr. Speaker, to confine our comments to that statement. That is precisely what our policies state. Thus, you are not allowed to bring forward novel or contentious topics. Bring up issues of factual accuracy, Mr. Speaker. If we let this remain in the records, Mr. Speaker, it will be equivalent to allowing any member a blank check to come up here and say anything just by presenting us with a picture. We have that liberty in this House now, Mr. Speaker. He might not be a member of parliament tomorrow, and someone else might be, and they might say certain things. "The individual you asserted was performing the actions you allege he performed is not present in this chamber to defend himself, and you lack the necessary evidence to back up your assertions. I've submitted an application to you, Mr. Speaker. It is your responsibility, Mr. Speaker, to decide whether to uphold or dismiss the application. I am strengthened by the rules, thus I'm inviting you to uphold it. When given the chance, he was unable to provide real evidence that the man was, in fact, distributing relief supplies rather than NADMO personnel," he continued. Armarh Buah: "Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request that you simply reject his proposal, as the honorable member has not only spoken, but also provided ample evidence to support it and is willing to present it to this House." Janapor The Deputy Majority claims, Mr. Speaker, that I mentioned topics outside of the conversation. This is the minister. He discussed items for relief. Did the minister not mention supplies for relief? As the Majority Leader, I believe you will be patient. Thus, when I bring up the issue of the distribution of relief supplies in my area, it's a valid one. Finally, Mr. Speaker, he claims that I lacked supporting documentation. You weren't watching, so I didn't just show you a picture. Please pay attention the next time. Here is the video that I displayed. Beyond this, though, Mr. Speaker, he asks, "Where's the video?" The video is this one. "You are not helping us to do the right thing, as opposed to supporting us," "On this note, Mr. Speaker, I am strengthened by the truth, and I speak to power only the truth," he continued. Other stories Did you know that there’s a proper moment to sip your water? 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