Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has accused Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of contempt of Parliament and has called for his referral to the Privileges Committee for disciplinary action.
The accusation stems from Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s participation in the ECOWAS Parliament session held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from September 25 to 28, 2025, despite his removal from Ghana’s official delegation to the regional body.
Raising the matter on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Mr. 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 him, “by attending the session after being excluded, the Minority Leader has clearly affronted the authority of Parliament and must be held accountable.”
Mr. Ayariga reminded the House that Parliament had on July 22, 2025, passed a resolution affirming Ghana’s representation to the ECOWAS Parliament, a decision that expressly excluded Mr. Afenyo-Markin. He said the resolution was formally communicated to ECOWAS ahead of the session.
“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,” Mr. Ayariga recounted. “His action led to ECOWAS initially refusing to swear in Ghana’s delegation until the issue was resolved,” he added.
The Majority Leader emphasized that the conduct of the Minority Leader undermined the authority and integrity of Parliament. “Any act that affronts the authority of Parliament or tends to bring its name into disrepute constitutes contempt. It is time the Honourable Afenyo-Markin is put in his proper place,” he asserted.
Mr. Ayariga therefore urged the Speaker to refer the issue 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,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and announced that he will make a determination on the matter on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, after reviewing all the details.
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