Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended his recent comments advocating for a new parliamentary chamber and an upgraded healthcare facility for MPs, following public backlash and misinterpretations of his remarks.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board for the ninth Parliament, Afenyo-Markin highlighted security lapses in the legislative chamber and the need for better infrastructure. He pointed out that in some advanced democracies, such as the British Parliament, security within the chamber is significantly enhanced, unlike Ghana’s Parliament, where lawmakers remain vulnerable to potential threats from the public gallery.
“Indeed, when I visited the British Parliament, even within the chamber, there is enhanced security. Here in the public gallery, anybody at all can throw anything at an MP, and there is no security,” he noted. “Mr Speaker, I am therefore looking forward to an enhanced security regime, and I am pleased to depart from this infrastructure. We can begin a conversation for a new chamber befitting the legislative arm of government.”
His comments drew criticism from sections of the public, prompting a clarification. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, March 18, Afenyo-Markin accused the media of misrepresenting his statements.
Matthew 7:16 (KJV)- Ye shall know them by their fruit.
Hon @AfenyoMarkin will never stop amazing Ghanaians with his comments/actions. Any MP or politician who seeks to serve himself/herself should have no business occupying public office.
Here are comments/actions by Hon… pic.twitter.com/GUd6zWot3e
— Sam O. Ablakwa for President (@samOAblakwa) March 17, 2025
A new parliamentary chamber is not needed as well as a hospital for parliamentarians- @Afenyo Markin is out of touch
— Eric Yooku Imbeah (@EricImbeah) March 18, 2025
“Unfortunately, much of the media coverage on my comments has been misleading, creating gross misconceptions about my position. The discussion was centered on broader institutional needs, yet selective reporting has misrepresented the intent behind my remarks,” he wrote.
He further clarified that his remarks were in response to concerns raised by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who had previously lamented the security challenges within the parliamentary enclave. “The Speaker bemoaned the state of insecurity in Parliament, highlighting the vulnerability of MPs and Parliamentary Service staff to potential threats,” he said. “In response, I suggested that if enhancing security within the current chamber is not feasible, we may have to consider a new chamber with the necessary security features to ensure a safer working environment.”
On healthcare, Afenyo-Markin reiterated his stance that Parliament’s existing clinic should be upgraded into a fully equipped hospital to serve both current and retired MPs, as well as other parliamentary staff. He cited examples such as the 37 Military Hospital, Police Hospital, Bank of Ghana Hospital, Cocoa Clinic, and SSNIT Hospital, which provide dedicated healthcare services to specific institutions.
“Such a facility would not only serve MPs and Parliamentary staff but also retired officers, retired MPs, and, where applicable, the general public. Although these hospitals by some State Agencies are dedicated to their staff, they are equally open to the general public,” he explained. “Parliament, as an arm of Government, operates under intense schedules, and its members, staff, and security personnel often require urgent, specialised and private medical attention while on duty.”
He dismissed claims that his proposal sought to grant MPs special privileges, insisting it was a practical necessity. “This proposal should, therefore, not be misinterpreted as a call for special privileges, but rather as a functional necessity, just as other critical institutions—such as the military, police, SSNIT, COCOBOD, and Bank of Ghana—have their own dedicated medical facilities,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has reinforced concerns about security within the parliamentary precinct. He disclosed that there had been instances where intruders managed to infiltrate the premises, attacking MPs and staff before escaping by scaling the perimeter walls into nearby wooded areas.
“One of the challenges that need to be addressed is to secure the parliamentary enclave to ensure the safety of members and staff. This has been a worrying matter for parliament for some time now, we are actually insecure here,” Bagbin stated. “We are not safe. Sometimes people can come in and attack us or staff, and anytime there is an attempt to apprehend them, they scale over the wall and escape into the forest.”
He urged parliamentary leadership to take urgent action to strengthen security measures to ensure the safety of lawmakers and staff.
The debate over the proposed new chamber and enhanced healthcare facility for MPs continues, with opposing views on the necessity and timing of such projects amid economic challenges.
𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
I have noted the concerns raised regarding my comments on security and healthcare in Parliament during the inauguration of the 9th Parliamentary Service Board.… pic.twitter.com/JMaeDl08DV
— Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin (@AfenyoMarkin) March 18, 2025
