Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, says he is closely monitoring and eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Privileges Committee’s probe into Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, November 27, Dr Draman said the case presents an important test for parliamentary accountability.
“We are at a point where the Privileges Committee has kicked in. I am looking forward to the outcome… I am looking forward to what this committee is going to do,” he said.
His comments come after Afenyo-Markin was cited for contempt of Parliament and promptly referred to the Privileges Committee.
The referral follows allegations that he persistently disregarded a formal parliamentary decision removing him from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga accused the Minority Leader of defying Parliament by participating in the ECOWAS Parliament session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from September 25 to 28, 2025, despite an official directive withdrawing him from the delegation.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Draman expressed cautious optimism but also pointed to Parliament’s historical inconsistencies in handling such cases.
“Over the years, people have flouted the Standing Orders of Parliament and abused the Constitution. They went to the Privileges Committee, and we never heard anything. That’s almost like, if you want to kill the matter, you take it there,” he added.
Dr Draman also predicted a deeply divided committee, despite the Speaker’s advice for members to uphold the Constitution and protect the integrity of the House.
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