Afenyo-Markin vows to face privileges committee, demands public hearing over security recruitment claims

Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo Markin

Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo Markin has expressed his willingness to face the Privileges Committee to defend his claims over the ongoing security recruitment exercise.

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has directed that the Minority Leader be referred to the Privileges Committee after a formal complaint was lodged by the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak.

The action stems from accusations that the Minority Leader characterised the ongoing security recruitment exercise as a scam and alleged that the engagement of a third-party IT firm had imposed excessive financial burdens on applicants.

Announcing the decision on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Bernard Ahiafor clarified that the referral does not amount to a finding of wrongdoing.

“The fact that this matter has been referred to the privileges does not mean that the person is guilty. That is why I said all suspects are supposed to be deemed innocent.

“I am not pronouncing on the guilt of the Minority Leader or otherwise. I am not. And it is not the responsibility at this stage to do so. It is the responsibility of the committee to make that recommendation to the House,” he stated.

In his reaction, the Minority Leader welcomed the referral and urged that the proceedings be conducted in the open. He indicated his readiness to personally appear before the committee to defend his statements.

“Honourable Minister of Interior, I am not too sure you want us to pursue this matter. I repeat, because you and I know what we know. Let the referral be made, let there be a public hearing. Let Afenyo-Markin, who these days is seen as perhaps, according to the allegation, saying something untruthful, and because of that, it is a breach of parliamentary privilege. Mr Speaker, you have the wisdom to exercise discretion.

“I will avail myself, should you exercise that discretion, to a public hearing, and then the matter can be brought to a peaceful rest,” he emphasised.

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, dismissed what he described as attempts by the opposition to manufacture controversy to damage the government’s image.

He cautioned that should Afenyo Markin fail to substantiate his claims, members of the Majority would press for firm disciplinary action against him.