The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has cited Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for contempt of Parliament and referred him to the Privileges Committee for investigation.
The action, announced on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 27, follows what the Speaker described as the MP’s persistent disregard for a formal parliamentary decision removing him from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
According to the Speaker, Afenyo-Markin’s continued participation in ECOWAS Parliament activities despite the House’s directive constitutes an affront to the authority of Parliament and a violation of its institutional mandate.
At the centre of the dispute is the Minority Leader’s alleged refusal to vacate his position within the ECOWAS legislative body after Parliament reconstituted the national delegation. His conduct, the Speaker noted, falls within the definition of contempt under Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders—provisions that prohibit acts that obstruct, impede or undermine the dignity and operations of the House.
By proceeding contrary to an official decision of the Legislature, the Speaker said, the Minority Leader had triggered one of the chamber’s most serious disciplinary processes.
The matter has now been referred to the Privileges Committee, chaired by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor. The committee is mandated to conduct a judicial-style inquiry, examine all evidence, hear from Afenyo-Markin and other relevant parties, and report its findings and recommendations to the full House.
The upcoming hearings are expected to determine whether the Minority Leader’s actions constitute contempt and what sanctions, if any, may follow.
