Proceedings in Parliament were briefly disrupted on Wednesday after the Minority Caucus staged a walkout in protest over a ruling by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, whom they accused of obstructing parliamentary oversight.

The incident occurred during Question Time when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin sought clarification from the Minister for Communications on government’s planned nationwide SIM card re-registration exercise.

After the Minister responded, Mr. Afenyo-Markin attempted to ask a supplementary question on whether the planned exercise was being undertaken in accordance with the required procurement processes. However, the First Deputy Speaker ruled the question out of order, stating that it fell outside the scope of the original question.

The ruling prompted the Minority to leave the chamber.

Addressing journalists afterwards, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the Deputy Speaker of repeatedly relying on parliamentary procedures to prevent members, particularly those on the Minority side, from effectively scrutinising government.

He maintained that his supplementary question was directly linked to the Minister’s response and sought clarification on the financial implications of the proposed SIM card re-registration.

According to him, government has justified the exercise on the grounds that some SIM cards were registered with unverifiable identities, making it necessary for Parliament and the public to know the cost of the exercise and the basis for the decision, especially after the Minister indicated that subscribers would not bear any cost.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that the Standing Orders of Parliament permit supplementary questions that seek clarification on answers provided by ministers, insisting his question complied with those provisions.

He further alleged that some members of the Majority, including the Majority Leader, did not support the Deputy Speaker’s ruling.

Despite the protest, the Minority Leader said the caucus would return to the chamber to participate in the remaining business of the House.