News:
March 3, 2026
The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has been referred to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee following an allegation of contempt raised against him.
The referral was made on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who was presiding over the House. The matter was brought to the floor by the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, who invoked Standing Order 34 to raise a concern about a potential contempt of Parliament.
According to the Interior Minister, the Minority Leader, during his response to the State of the Nation Address, made claims of irregularities in the ongoing recruitment exercise into the security services, including the police, fire service, and immigration.
“He said it has been tainted with scam and irregularities. These allegations are false and do not have any factual basis. They are intended to undermine a genuine process that is ongoing,” the Interior Minister stated.
Before making the referral, the First Deputy Speaker noted that he had listened to the contributions from the Majority Leader, the Interior Minister, and the Minority Leader. He observed that the House was at the stage where debate on the substantive matter could only proceed if the committee’s report was before them.
He indicated that he would not open the floor for further debate on the issue at that moment. In response, the Minority Leader stated, “If the Minister for the Interior, who is making the allegation, wants the matter to go before the Privileges Committee, he has no problem with that.”
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, also supported the move, requesting that the issue be referred to the committee.
“If an allegation is made, all suspects are deemed to be innocent. The committee has to listen to the allegation and give all parties the opportunity to be heard,” Mr. Ahiafor told the House while explaining the process.
The Privileges and Immunities Committee is expected to work within a set timeframe and report its findings back to the House.
An issue was raised by the First Deputy Whip, Habib Iddrisu, noting that the Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, is the chairman of the Privileges Committee. In response, Mr. Ahiafor clarified that presiding as Speaker does not make him the committee itself, and therefore there was no conflict in making the referral.
“There is no rule which says a person presiding cannot refer a matter to a committee he chairs. However, if you feel that because I chair it today, I cannot chair the Privileges Committee meeting, then bring that issue before us during the hearing. If the committee rules that I must step aside, so be it, I will stand aside,” he assured the House.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com