The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, on Thursday, March 5, 2025, rebuked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr Tia Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, during proceedings in Parliament after the latter clashed with the Speaker over the enforcement of parliamentary rules.

The exchange began when Tia Mahama raised concerns about what he described as growing threats to the editorial independence of journalists in the country.

He cited the case of a journalist he referred to as Lily Mohammed of GHOne TV, alleging that the journalist was forced to retract a statement critical of a government official shortly after making it.

'We will insist on the most severe punishment for you' - Ayariga fires Afenyo-Markin

“The editorial independence of journalists is threatened in this country. Lili Muhammad of GHOne had called to express views criticising a government official. Less than 24 hours later, she was asked to withdraw that particular statement, and the media station apologised,” he said.

He added that the statement had been pulled down even though, in his view, “there was nothing defamatory about that statement… there was nothing laborious about that statement.”

However, his comments drew the attention of the Speaker, who cautioned him to stay within the rules of the House and avoid making statements that could generate debate during that stage of proceedings.

Despite the warning, the MP attempted to continue speaking and protested the Speaker’s decision to stop him after his allotted time had expired, describing the intervention as “unfair.”

This prompted the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, to step in and caution the MP over his conduct in the chamber.

He stressed that Members of Parliament must defer to the Chair even when they disagree with rulings.

'We will not increase number of ministers' - Mahama Ayariga slams NPP MPs

“The Speaker gives guidance. You may not be happy, but the way that you react may also spoil your case,” he stated.

Ayariga further reminded MPs that maintaining order in the chamber was critical to ensuring smooth parliamentary business.

“I have been in this chamber for more than a decade, so please be careful what you are doing. You may not like something, but you do not respond that way,” he cautioned.

He warned that if MPs openly challenged the Speaker while he was speaking, it could undermine discipline in the House.

“If we all start behaving that way, this chamber will not be governable by anybody. That is why we have a Speaker,” he added.

The brief confrontation highlighted tensions on the floor of Parliament as lawmakers debated issues relating to media freedom and parliamentary procedure.

Watch the video below:



NA/BAI

Ibrahim Mahama's new private jet touches down in Accra