Afenyo-Markin hauled before Privileges Committee
Alexander Afenyo-Markin serves as the Minority Leader and is the Member of Parliament for Effutu.
The Minority Leader for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has been referred to the Privileges Committee of Parliament on serious corruption allegations related to recruitment into the security services, allegations that also involve a senior government official.
During Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak asked the Speaker to refer the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee so he can substantiate the claims he raised.
“Mr Speaker, if you recall, you were presiding on Thursday when he began this accusation. I took the floor to correct him and even encouraged him that if he wanted information, he could write to me and I would provide all the details.
“He chose to use the State of the Nation Address on Friday, when the nation was listening, to declare that internal security recruitment is scandalous. He claimed there is corruption looming and that people will end up in prison. He said this on this floor,” he stated.
Muntaka asserted that the Minority Leader’s remarks amount to contempt of the House and should be investigated.
He added that the Effutu lawmaker has a history of making unfounded allegations, but this time he would be compelled by the Majority Caucus to present evidence.
“And I’m saying, Mr Speaker, based on our Standing Orders 31 (E and F), this is a contentious issue. Let us give him the chance to go to the Privileges Committee, where there is ample time and opportunity to back up all his claims so that we can confront him there with our facts.
“So, Mr Speaker, that is why I’m noting that we are seeing too many such comments from someone of the Minority Leader’s stature, and the moment has come for him to prove his allegation at Privileges,” he concluded.
Reacting, the Minority Leader stated he was prepared to appear before the Privileges Committee to present evidence backing his allegations and asked for the hearing to be public.
“Honourable Minister of the Interior, let the referral proceed, and let there be a public hearing. I will be present if you choose to make it public, and we can bring this matter to a peaceful resolution,” he said.
Presiding over the session, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, referred the matter to the Privileges Committee, noting that the referral does not imply guilt and that Mr. Afenyo-Markin remains innocent until the inquiry concludes.
“The fact that this matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee does not mean the person is guilty. All suspects are presumed innocent. It is the committee’s duty to make a recommendation to the House,” he stated.
Controversy note: This referral is sure to spark intense debate about accountability, due process, and political theater in Parliament. The question now is: should high-ranking critics be compelled to produce hard evidence in a formal committee setting, or should public rhetoric be left to follow its own course until verified? Share your view in the comments: do you think the Privileges Committee will deliver a fair, transparent outcome, or is this a case of political maneuvering?
