Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to refer Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee for allegedly defying a parliamentary resolution that removed him from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
According to Mr. Ayariga, the ECOWAS Parliament initially refused to swear in Ghana’s delegation after Mr. Afenyo-Markin appeared in Port Harcourt despite his official replacement. He disclosed that the matter was only resolved after Ghana threatened to withdraw its participation entirely.
In the petition presented to the Speaker on Tuesday, November 11, Mr. Ayariga described Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s actions as a breach of parliamentary privilege and called for disciplinary measures.
“I have cited Order 31, which stipulates that any act or omission that undermines the dignity or authority of Parliament constitutes contempt and a breach of parliamentary privileges.
By disregarding the resolution that removed him from the ECOWAS delegation and proceeding to attend the session in Port Harcourt, he has clearly affronted the authority and dignity of Parliament,” he stated.
Speaker Alban Bagbin has confirmed receipt of the petition and announced that he will deliver his ruling on the matter on Wednesday.
