The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has referred Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee following a formal complaint by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak.
The referral stems from allegations that Mr. Afenyo-Markin described the ongoing security recruitment exercise as a scam and accused the government of imposing excessive costs on applicants through the engagement of a third-party IT firm.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Mr. Ahiafor clarified that the referral does not imply guilt. “The fact that this matter has been referred to privileges does not mean that the person is guilty. All suspects are deemed innocent,” he stated, adding that it is the committee’s responsibility to investigate and make recommendations to the House.
In response, Mr. Afenyo-Markin welcomed the referral and called for a public hearing, indicating his readiness to defend his statements before the committee. He suggested that a transparent process would help resolve the matter conclusively.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga criticised what he described as attempts to create unfounded scandals against the government, warning that the Majority would seek firm sanctions if the Minority Leader fails to substantiate his claims.
The development sets the stage for a potentially high-profile parliamentary inquiry into the recruitment exercise and the boundaries of parliamentary privilege.
