Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has accused the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus, led by Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, of hypocrisy over claims that the Majority National Democratic Congress (NDC) is abusing its numbers by pushing bills through Parliament under a Certificate of Urgency.

Responding to accusations made by the Minority at a press conference on Monday, Mr. Ayariga disclosed that during the period when the NPP held the Majority in Parliament, the party secured the passage of numerous bills under similar procedures.

According to him, between 2017 and 2021, the NPP-led Parliament passed 30 bills under a Certificate of Urgency, with an additional 26 bills expedited under the same process between 2021 and 2024.

“It is sad that Afenyo-Markin has brought leadership of a caucus to such low levels,” the Majority Leader stated, describing the Minority’s current posture as inconsistent with its own parliamentary record.

Mr. Ayariga explained that bills taken through a Certificate of Urgency are often non-controversial and, in some cases, are withdrawn, further refined, and reintroduced to meet pressing national needs.

He added that others are expedited to comply with timelines arising from Ghana’s international agreements and programme commitments.

He further stressed that the Minority always has the opportunity to propose amendments to bills considered under a Certificate of Urgency, noting that the process does not in itself amount to wrongdoing or legislative abuse.

The comments come after the Minority NPP caucus accused the Majority NDC of exploiting its numerical strength in Parliament by fast-tracking several bills under urgent procedures.

Mr Ayariga maintained that the use of a certificate of urgency is a legitimate parliamentary tool and urged the Minority to be consistent and honest in its critique of parliamentary processes.