Afenyo-Markin referred to Privileges Committee for contempt probe

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has cited Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for contempt and referred him to the Privileges Committee for further investigation.

The decision comes after Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga petitioned the Speaker, accusing Afenyo-Markin of opposing his removal from Ghana’s ECOWAS Parliament delegation.

Presiding over proceedings on Thursday, November 27, the Speaker told Parliament, “I refer the complaint against the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee and report to the House.”

He urged the Committee to act with professionalism and neutrality, while calling on MPs to exercise restraint. “I urge the Committee to discharge its mandate with decorum and impartiality. I urge MPs to refrain from public commentary,” he added.

Ayariga had petitioned the Speaker on November 11, alleging that Afenyo-Markin defied a parliamentary resolution that excluded him from Ghana’s ECOWAS delegation.

According to the Majority Leader, the ECOWAS Parliament initially refused to swear in Ghana’s team after Afenyo-Markin appeared in Port Harcourt despite his replacement on the delegation.

“The issue was only resolved after Ghana threatened to withdraw entirely from the ECOWAS Parliament,” Ayariga noted in his petition, describing Afenyo-Markin’s actions as a breach of parliamentary privilege and calling for disciplinary measures.

The Privileges Committee is now expected to investigate the matter and report back to Parliament in line with the Speaker’s directive.