The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has referred the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to Parliament’s Privileges Committee following a formal complaint by the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak.
The referral stems from claims attributed to the Minority Leader that the ongoing security recruitment exercise is a scam and that the engagement of a third-party IT firm has imposed excessive financial burdens on applicants.
Addressing the House on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Ahiafor clarified that the referral should not be construed as a finding of guilt.
“The fact that this matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee does not mean that the person is guilty. That is why I said all persons are supposed to be deemed innocent.
“I am not pronouncing on the guilt of the Minority Leader or otherwise. I am not. It is not my responsibility at this stage to do so. It is the responsibility of the committee to make its recommendation to the House,” he stated.
In response, Afenyo-Markin signalled his readiness to appear before the committee and called for the proceedings to be held in public.
“Honourable Minister for the Interior, I am not too sure you want us to pursue this matter. I repeat, because you and I know what we know. Let the referral be made, let there be a public hearing.
“Let Afenyo-Markin, who these days is perhaps being portrayed, according to the allegation, as saying something untruthful — and because of that, it is deemed a breach of parliamentary privilege — be heard. Mr Speaker, you have the wisdom to exercise discretion.
“I will avail myself, should you exercise that discretion, to a public hearing, and then the matter can be brought to a peaceful rest.”
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga cautioned that attempts to manufacture what he described as unfounded scandals against the government would not succeed.
He further warned that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would push for strict sanctions if the Minority Leader fails to substantiate his claims before the committee.