Tensions flared in Parliament after Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga accused Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of contempt of Parliament, calling for his referral to the Privileges Committee for disciplinary action.
The accusation stems from Afenyo-Markin’s alleged participation in the ECOWAS Parliament session held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from September 25 to 28, 2025, despite his reported removal from Ghana’s official delegation to the regional legislative body.
Raising the matter on the floor of Parliament, Ayariga cited Order 31(O) of the Standing Orders, which defines contempt as any act or omission that affronts the dignity or authority of Parliament or brings its name into disrepute.
According to the Majority Leader, Afenyo-Markin’s attendance at the ECOWAS session, after Parliament had formally excluded him from the delegation, amounted to a “clear affront to the authority of Parliament.”
“When our delegation arrived in Port Harcourt, they found the Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin already seated and refusing to step aside as directed by this Parliament,” Ayariga told the House.
“His action led to ECOWAS initially refusing to swear in Ghana’s delegation until the issue was resolved,” he added.
Ayariga recalled that on July 22, 2025, Parliament passed a resolution affirming Ghana’s representation to the ECOWAS Parliament, a resolution that explicitly excluded Afenyo-Markin. He said the decision was formally communicated to the ECOWAS Secretariat, making the Minority Leader’s actions a violation of parliamentary authority.
“Any act that affronts the authority of Parliament or tends to bring its name into disrepute constitutes contempt,” the Majority Leader emphasized. “It is time the Honourable Afenyo-Markin is put in his proper place.”
He therefore urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee for investigation and possible sanctions.
“I rise to make a formal complaint of contempt of Parliament and breach of privilege, and urge you, Mr Speaker, to refer Honourable Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee for necessary action,” Ayariga said.