Speaker Refers Afenyo-Markin to Privileges Committee Over ECOWAS Parliament Attendance
Accra, Ghana —The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has referred Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to Parliament’s Committee on Privileges and Immunities for investigation, following allegations that he attended a session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, despite being removed from Ghana’s official delegation.
The Speaker’s ruling came after Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who is also the Member for Bawku Central, raised the matter on the floor, calling it an act that affronted the authority of the House.
Delivering his directive on Thursday, Speaker Bagbin said the conduct, on its face, “implicates the dignity and institutional integrity” of Parliament.
“Honourable Members, having reviewed the complaints, the standing orders, and the governing principles, I am satisfied that the matter raised prima facie implicates the dignity and institutional integrity of this House,” the Speaker stated.
“Pursuant to Order 34(1), I therefore refer the matter to the complaints lodged by the Honourable Member for Bawku Central and the Majority Leader to the Committee on Privileges and Immunities for examination, inquiry, investigation, and report to the House.””
The Speaker directed the committee to undertake a four-step review that establishes the fact of the complaint and verify the actions of the involved member. Examine those actions within the framework of Parliament’s Standing Orders and the ECOWAS Parliament’s rules. Determine whether the conduct constitutes contempt of Parliament or breach of privilege under Orders 30 and 31. And finally, recommend appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures to the House.
In his closing remarks, the Speaker reminded all Members that the authority of Parliament rests on mutual respect for its decisions and institutional independence. “Whatever our political differences, the authority of Parliament rests on a shared commitment to respect its decisions and uphold the integrity of its processes,” Bagbin said.
“Allegations that a Member has disregarded a decision of this House must therefore be examined with fairness, constitutional fidelity, and a clear regard for the institutional independence of Parliament
Mr. Afenyo-Markin is reported to have participated in the ECOWAS Parliament’s meeting in Port Harcourt between September 25 and 28, 2025, despite an earlier parliamentary resolution removing him from Ghana’s delegation. The Committee on Privileges is expected to investigate and report its findings to the House in the coming weeks.
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