The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has referred Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee.
Mr Afenyo-Markin was referred to the Committee following a formal complaint by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who cited the lawmaker for contempt.
The referral comes after the Minority Leader allegedly described the ongoing security recruitment exercise as a scam.
He had also alleged that it imposes heavy financial burdens on applicants through a third-party IT firm.
On the day President John Dramani Mahama presented the state of the nation address, he repeated the allegation and even went ahead in stating that an appointee of the current government would be jailed.
But speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the interior minister said the minority leader allegedly maligned the ongoing security recruitment exercise by describing it as a scam.
“On Friday, during the State of the Nation Address, the minority leader got up and said categorically that the current internal security recruitment is scandalous. He claimed corruption is looming and people will go to prison.
“Based on our standing orders 31 E and F, that is contemptuous. The appropriate place to substantiate such claims is before the Privileges Committee, where he will have ample time to present his allegations and we can meet him with the facts.”
The minority, in response, said he was prepared to appear before the committee.
He called for a public hearing as part of the investigation.
“Honourable Minister of Interior, let the referral be made, and let there be a public hearing. I will avail myself should you exercise that discretion, and the matter can then be brought to a peaceful resolution,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has warned they will push for severe punishment should his colleague fail in providing evidence to support his allegations.
“I want to hear the evidence in public. The attempt to scandalise this government will not succeed. If indeed a minister or senior NDC official has an interest in the company providing this service, we want to know so that action can be taken. Otherwise, we will insist on the most severe punishment for you,” he said.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor. On his part, posited that the referral does not imply guilt, noting that Mr Afenyo-Markin remains innocent until the investigation concludes.
“The fact that this matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee does not mean that the person is guilty. All suspects are presumed innocent. It is the responsibility of the committee to make a recommendation to the House,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
