Bagbin refers Afenyo-Markin contempt case to Privileges Committee

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has referred Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee to answer allegations of contempt.

The referral stems from a petition filed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who accused Afenyo-Markin of disobeying Parliament’s decision regarding Ghana’s representation at the ECOWAS Parliament.

During parliamentary proceedings on Thursday, November 27, Speaker Bagbin informed the House, saying, “I am transmitting the complaint against the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee and expect a report in due course.”

He called on the Committee to handle the matter with fairness and decorum, urging Members of Parliament to avoid public commentary while the issue is under review. “I expect the Committee to approach its work impartially. MPs must refrain from public discussions on the matter,” he cautioned.

Ayariga’s petition, submitted on November 11, alleged that Afenyo-Markin defied a parliamentary resolution that replaced him on Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.

He claimed that the ECOWAS Parliament initially declined to swear in Ghana’s representatives because Afenyo-Markin showed up in Port Harcourt despite being formally removed. The impasse was reportedly resolved only after Ghana threatened to pull out of the regional legislative body.

Ayariga argued that Afenyo-Markin’s conduct violated parliamentary privilege and called for disciplinary action.