Former Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini, has urged legislators to be more mindful of their conduct as Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin faces a contempt probe before Parliament‘s Privileges Committee.
His caution follows Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin’s referral of the Minority Leader after a petition from Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga, who accused Hon. Afenyo-Markin of challenging a move to exclude him from Ghana’s ECOWAS delegation.
The development has sharpened the atmosphere in Parliament, with Fuseini insisting that the rules governing the House apply to every MP regardless of rank or influence and must guide conduct at all times.
Presiding over proceedings on the day of the referral, the Speaker directed that the matter be investigated thoroughly by the Committee. His call for professionalism and restraint set the tone for a process that has since sparked debate over the boundaries of parliamentary conduct and the obligations of members under the Standing Orders.
He told the House that the complaint had been duly assessed and warranted further inquiry, urging MPs to refrain from public commentary while the Committee undertakes its work.
Fuseini emphasized that MPs must be fully aware of the rules that govern their conduct, describing this as fundamental to maintaining parliamentary order. His words underscored a broader concern about how lawmakers approach disciplinary matters brought before the Privileges Committee.
“As a member of Parliament, the first thing you should apprise yourself with is your conduct. What conduct will be a subject matter of referral to the Privileges Committee? It doesn’t matter whether you are the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader. What is important is that, does the conduct exhibited infringe a provision of the standing orders?”
Inusah Fuseini, Former Tamale Central MP
Fuseini reiterated that no MP is immune from accountability under the Constitution and the Standing Orders. “No leader whether from the Majority or the Minority is immune from expulsion in parliament if you read Article 97 carefully,” he added, stressing that the principle of equality before parliamentary rules is a cornerstone of the institution’s integrity.
His comments intensify public interest in the unfolding process and place renewed emphasis on the significance of parliamentary discipline. By stressing the centrality of the rules, Fuseini framed the matter as one that goes beyond personalities and political alignments, focusing instead on institutional integrity and the responsibilities entrusted to MPs.
The ECOWAS Delegation Dispute
The controversy at the centre of the referral stems from Hon. Ayariga’s petition, which accused Hon. Afenyo-Markin of challenging a decision that excluded him from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
It highlighted Hon. Afenyo-Markin’s appearance at the ECOWAS Parliament sitting in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, despite his removal from Ghana’s delegation.
According to the petition, his actions amounted to a breach of parliamentary privilege and required disciplinary review by the Committee. The Speaker’s decision to refer the matter reflects how seriously the House views allegations that touch on its authority and adherence to adopted resolutions.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin’s ruling emphasized that the issue raises concerns about the dignity and institutional integrity of Parliament, particularly given that the alleged conduct relates to compliance with a formal resolution of the House. His call for an inquiry signals a commitment to the processes outlined in the Standing Orders, even when the subject is a senior figure such as the Minority Leader.
Fuseini’s intervention added weight to the Speaker’s call for disciplined engagement. His warning that Hon. Afenyo-Markin could face expulsion if found to have breached the Standing Orders underscores the magnitude of the matter.
MPs across the political divide are now watching the Committee’s next steps closely, aware that the outcome could have implications not only for the Minority Leader but also for how Parliament navigates disciplinary issues involving leaders of both sides.
The case has become a test of Parliament’s internal accountability mechanisms at a moment when public expectations of transparency and integrity are particularly high.
With Fuseini drawing attention to the Constitution and the Standing Orders, and Bagbin insisting on impartiality and adherence to procedure, the Committee’s inquiry is set to shape the conversation about conduct and responsibility within Ghana’s legislature.
The process ahead is likely to define how the House enforces its rules and how lawmakers respond to disciplinary scrutiny going forward.
