“Apologies don’t come with ‘ifs'” – Prof. Ayensu-Danquah schools Minority Leader in tense Parliamentary exchange”
"Apologies don't come with 'ifs'" - Prof. Ayensu-Danquah schools Minority Leader in tense Parliamentary exchange"
“Apologies don’t come with ‘ifs'” – Prof. Ayensu-Danquah schools Minority Leader in tense Parliamentary exchange”
In a moment that will be remembered for a long time, Deputy Health Minister-designate Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah delivered a pointed lesson on proper apologies to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during her vetting on Friday. The tension-filled encounter unfolded when Afenyo-Markin attempted to apologize for controversial remarks he made during a recent Parliamentary debate, where he questioned the “strange reasons” behind Prof. Ayensu-Danquah’s nomination and suggested favoritism over other qualified female MPs.
Afenyo-Markin’s apology was met with skepticism by many observers, as he offered what seemed to be a half-hearted attempt at reconciliation. “If my remarks on the floor made you feel harassed, then I am sorry,” Afenyo-Markin said, seemingly unaware that his conditional language would spark an immediate correction.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah, the NDC MP for Essikadu-Ketan in the Western Region, demonstrated the poise that has characterized her distinguished academic and professional career. “Technically though, when you apologise, you don’t have to qualify it with an ‘if’,” she responded, her words cutting through the committee room with surgical precision.
Forced to recalibrate, the Minority Leader attempted a revised apology: “To the extent that… you felt I had crossed the red line, I say to you I’m sorry. Is that fair?” While Prof. Ayensu-Danquah graciously accepted the rephrased apology, her response delivered perhaps the most memorable line of the entire exchange. When Afenyo-Markin continued explaining how they had “patched up quickly” after the parliamentary incident, she delivered her final, definitive statement: “Once you apologise, you don’t have to keep going.”
The incident has sparked broader conversations about parliamentary conduct, the treatment of women nominees, and the art of genuine apology. Political analysts suggest the exchange reveals deeper tensions about respectful discourse in Ghana’s democratic institutions, especially in Parliament.
Prof. Ayensu-Danquah’s handling of the situation has drawn widespread praise from colleagues across party lines, with many highlighting her ability to maintain calm and dignity while firmly establishing boundaries. The original controversy erupted when Afenyo-Markin’s remarks during parliamentary debate were perceived as questioning not just the nomination process but implying that merit wasn’t the primary consideration in Prof. Ayensu-Danquah’s selection.
As Ghana continues to grapple with questions of political discourse and mutual respect among leaders, Friday’s exchange may well be remembered as a defining moment—not for the controversy that sparked it, but for the grace and firmness with which Prof. Ayensu-Danquah, a first-time female legislator navigated the situation. Her response has resonated far beyond the committee room, with many Ghanaians viewing it as a template for how public figures should demand respect while maintaining their own dignity.
Parliament’s vetting committee is yet to take a verdict on the nominees, but one thing is certain: Prof. Ayensu-Danquah has already demonstrated the kind of leadership Ghana needs—principled, dignified, and uncompromising when it comes to basic respect.
Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online
