In a moment that became a reference point, 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, transforming what could have been a routine exchange into a defining moment of parliamentary decorum and leadership.
The tension-filled encounter unfolded when Afenyo-Markin attempted to apologise for controversial remarks he had made during a recent Parliamentary debate, where he questioned the “strange reasons” behind Prof. Ayensu-Danquah’s nomination and suggested favouritism over other qualified female MPs, including fellow NDC MP Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.
Conditional apology
But what could have been a straightforward apology quickly became a masterclass in dignity when the Minority Leader offered what many observers described as 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, demonstrating the poise that has characterised her distinguished academic and professional career, didn’t let the moment pass.
“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.
A lesson in leadership
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 offered her final, definitive statement: “Once you apologise, you don’t have to keep going.”
Moment of reflection
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, ever since Mr Afenyo-Markin became the Minority Leader.
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.
Setting the standard
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 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.
