The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is set to appear before Parliament’s Committee on Privileges and Immunities following allegations that he made unsubstantiated claims about the ongoing recruitment into the country’s security services.
The referral comes after the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, invoked Standing Order 67(1u) and Standing Order 31 at the start of Tuesday’s sitting, urging the House to compel Mr Afenyo-Markin to prove assertions that the recruitment exercise is unlawful and exploitative.
Mr Afenyo-Markin had publicly described the recruitment process as a “scam,” alleging that the introduction of an online application system managed by a third-party IT firm was imposing an undue financial burden on applicants. He also questioned the transparency and legality of the process.
Presiding over proceedings, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor ruled that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee for investigation and report. He stressed that the referral should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt.
“The fact that this matter has been referred to privileges does not mean that the person is guilty. All suspects are supposed to be deemed innocent,” he stated, adding that it would be the committee’s responsibility to make recommendations to the House.
Rather than withdraw his comments, Mr Afenyo-Markin welcomed the decision and called for a public hearing, insisting he was prepared to defend his claims openly.
“Let the referral be made, let there be a public hearing… I will avail myself… and then the matter can be brought to a peaceful rest,” he told the House.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga dismissed the allegations as an attempt to create unnecessary controversy and tarnish the government’s reputation. He cautioned that failure to substantiate the claims could result in severe sanctions against the Minority Leader.
