The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has rejected calls by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, for the building of a new chamber and a dedicated hospital for Parliament.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board for the Ninth Parliament on Monday, March 17, 2025, he stated that these projects are not the priority of Parliament at this time.

"I definitely don't believe that a hospital is the priority of Parliament or should be the priority of this Parliament. We are very close to the Ridge Hospital which I believe is adequate to provide the services that staff here will need.

"I don't believe that at this stage, considering the finances of Parliament, we should have a political class building a hospital especially for itself," he noted.

His remarks come in the wake of the comments made by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for a dedicated hospital for Members of Parliament at the inauguration of the Parliamentary Service Board.

According to the Member of Parliament for Effutu, a parliamentary hospital would safeguard the health and privacy of Members of Parliament.

“Mr. Speaker, there are two things that I hope for in this Ninth Parliament. One is a hospital for Parliament. If it does happen, according to your vision, it will be a great milestone.

"We are a political class, and our health issues must be known within certain confines. Because of confidentially issues, people travel abroad at great costs for medical support. I believe if we are able to deal with this, it will help,” he stated.

JKB/AE

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