The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) minority caucus, led by Afenyo Markin, of hypocrisy over criticisms of the use of certificates of urgency in Parliament.

Speaking in response to Monday’s press conference by the NPP minority, Ayariga revealed that under previous NPP-led Parliaments, 30 bills were passed using certificates of urgency between 2017 and 2021, with an additional 26 bills expedited between 2021 and 2024.

“Sadly, Afenyo Markin has brought the leadership of a caucus to such low levels,” Ayariga stated.

He explained that most bills taken under a certificate of urgency are non-controversial and often undergo extensive review before being reintroduced for swift passage. Some are expedited to meet timelines tied to international agreements or programmes.

“The minority always has the opportunity to propose amendments to any bill processed under a certificate of urgency,” he added.

Mr Ayariga stressed that using a certificate of urgency does not constitute wrongdoing or abuse of parliamentary procedures.

“Taking a bill under a certificate of urgency is a standard legislative practice and does not imply misconduct in the passage of the bill,” he said.

The NPP minority had accused the NDC majority of abusing their parliamentary numbers to push bills through under certificates of urgency.