The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has been referred to the Privileges Committee following allegations he made regarding the ongoing internal security recruitment exercise.
The referral was announced by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, after the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, formally cited the Effutu MP for contempt.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Mr Afenyo-Markin during proceedings on the State of the Nation Address last Friday, where he described the current security recruitment process as “scandalous” and alleged that it was a scam imposing heavy financial burdens on applicants through a third-party IT firm.
Rising on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Muntaka argued that the Minority Leader’s comments were contemptuous and required substantiation before the appropriate parliamentary body.
“On Friday, during the State of the Nation Address, the Minority Leader got up and said categorically that the current internal security recruitment is scandalous. He claimed corruption is looming and people will go to prison,” the Interior Minister stated.
“Based on our Standing Orders 31 E and F, that is contemptuous. The appropriate place to substantiate such claims is before the Privileges Committee, where he will have ample time to present his allegations and we can meet him with the facts,” he added.
In response, Mr Afenyo-Markin welcomed the referral and expressed readiness to appear before the committee, but called for the hearing to be conducted publicly.
“Honourable Minister for the Interior, let the referral be made, and let there be a public hearing. I will avail myself should you exercise that discretion, and the matter can then be brought to a peaceful resolution,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, also weighed in on the matter, accusing the Minority Leader of attempting to create what he described as “non-existing scandals” to tarnish the image of the government.
“I want to hear the evidence in public. The attempt to scandalize this government will not succeed. If indeed a minister or senior NDC official has an interest in the company providing this service, we want to know so that action can be taken. Otherwise, we will insist on the most severe punishment on you,” Mr Ayariga warned.
However, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor clarified that the referral to the Privileges Committee does not amount to a declaration of guilt.
“The fact that this matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee does not mean that the person is guilty. All suspects are presumed innocent. It is the responsibility of the committee to make a recommendation to the House,” he stated.
