Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin has criticized the government for releasing vital information to the media before formally informing Parliament, urging the executive to prioritize the legislature in official communications.

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Afenyo-Markin’s concerns follow the recent ministerial nominations by President John Dramani Mahama, who has appointed nominees for the positions of Minister of Finance Designate, Minister of Energy Designate, and Attorney General and Minister of Justice DesignateSpeaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, January 9, 2025, Afenyo-Markin expressed disappointment over the trend where Parliament is sidelined while the media gains first access

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to major government announcements.He stressed the critical role of Parliament in governance, particularly in the approval of ministerial nominees, emphasizing that it should not be relegated to a secondary position.“In the 8th Parliament under President Akufo-Addo, Rt. Hon. Speaker made a profound observation that matters and communications to the house must first be known to the house before it gets into the media.

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This house should not be a secondary recipient of that which is its Bonafide,” he asserted.Afenyo-Markin further criticized the executive’s handling of official communications, calling for a halt to the practice where statements are issued publicly without Parliament’s prior knowledge.“I do not appreciate the fact that a statement will be issued when Parliament has not already received the communication.

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Parliament should be the first to receive the communication before it gets out into the media and that was the position taken by the Speaker,” he reiterated.He specifically called on the executive to address the issue, particularly pointing to acting government spokesperson Felix Ofosu Kwakye, who he described as a respected colleague.

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“I would want to draw the attention of the executive to this matter, especially when the acting spokesperson of the executive is one of our own, my own respected colleague Felix Ofosu Kwakye,” he added.

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