By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, March 3, GNA – Parliament on Tuesday witnessed heated exchanges over allegations surrounding the ongoing security recruitment exercise, culminating in the referral of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee.
Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, the Minister of the Interior, invoked Standing Order 31(e), which classifies false, misleading, or scandalous submissions as contempt of Parliament.
He argued that Mr Afenyo-Markin’s claims of corruption and scandal in the security recruitment process during Friday’s State of the Nation (SoNA) must be substantiated with evidence before the Committee.
The Minority Leader, while expressing preference for resolving the matter at the conclave, stated his readiness to face the Privileges Committee if the Minister insisted.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga contended that the Minority Leader’s remarks created an impression of hidden wrongdoing by the Interior Ministry or National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership.
He stressed that such allegations, given their sensitivity, should be addressed publicly to protect public confidence in the recruitment exercise.
The incident underscores the growing tension in Parliament over accountability and transparency in security sector recruitment.
It also highlights the delicate balance between free speech and responsibility within parliamentary proceedings, as the Privileges Committee now prepares to examine whether the Minority Leader’s comments amount to contempt.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba