The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has formally referred the matter of Alexander Afenyo Markin’s attendance at the regional ECOWAS Parliament to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for investigation and report to the House.
The referral follows a petition filed by the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, who accused Afenyo-Markin of contempt of Parliament and breach of parliamentary privilege for disregarding a resolution of the House that removed him from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
According to the complaint raised by Ayariga on the floor of Parliament, the House on July 22, 2025, passed a resolution constituting Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, a resolution that expressly removed Afenyo-Markin’s name.
Nonetheless, Afenyo-Markin reportedly attended and participated in the ECOWAS parliamentary session held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria from September 25–28, 2025, despite the directive.
The Majority Leader argued that this conduct amounted to contempt citing Parliament’s Standing Orders, which define contempt as any act or omission that affronts the dignity or authority of Parliament, or brings it into disrepute.
As recounted by the Majority Leader, the presence of Afenyo-Markin at ECOWAS caused the regional Parliament initially to refuse to swear in Ghana’s official delegation, potentially embarrassing the country. Only after pressure, including a threat of withdrawal from ECOWAS, was the issue resolved and the approved delegation sworn in.
Given the seriousness of the breach, Ayariga called on Speaker Bagbin to refer Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee for appropriate disciplinary action.
Today, Speaker Bagbin announced that he had reviewed the petition and found prima facie grounds implicating the “institutional integrity of Parliament.” He formally referred the complaint to the Privileges Committee for full examination, investigation and report.
In doing so, he urged Committee members to proceed with impartiality and professionalism, and asked all lawmakers to refrain from public commentary while the matter is under investigation.
Supporters of the referral argue that allowing a member to defy a parliamentary resolution, especially one involving international representation, undermines the authority of the House and sets a dangerous precedent. As the complaint states, the act may amount to contempt and a breach of the privileges that protect the institution’s dignity.
Some observers, however, are watching closely, noting that past cases sent to the Privileges Committee have sometimes dragged on indefinitely, raising doubts about whether meaningful sanctions are applied.
As of now, the ball is in the Privileges Committee’s court. The committee is expected to gather facts: confirm whether the resolution to remove Afenyo-Markin was properly communicated, verify his attendance at ECOWAS, and determine if that constitutes contempt or breach of privilege under the relevant Standing Orders. Its report will shape whether disciplinary action follows, and whether Parliament successfully upholds rules governing internal discipline and accountability.
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