The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority has expressed discontent with Majority Leader Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin’s comments regarding the age of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate. During the conclusion of the Parliamentary debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA), Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who is the running-mate of the NDC’s flagbearer, is over 70 years old, suggesting that her selection was a poor choice.
This remark sparked strong protests from the NDC Minority, leading to heckling and banging of tables in the Parliament. Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticized the NDC’s choice of running mate, claiming that they failed to select someone who could offer a future to Ghana. He further suggested that the age of their running mate indicates a lack of succession plan, which could lead to a crisis in government.
Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Banda, demanded a retraction of these comments and an apology from the Majority Leader to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang. He argued that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was not present in the House to defend herself against these allegations.
In response to the escalating tension, Mr. Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker presiding over the session, suspended the sitting for one hour. The House later reconvened for Mr. Afenyo-Markin to conclude his remarks on the SONA.