The Majority Caucus of Parliament has filed a motion for contempt of Parliament against the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, accused Afenyo-Markin of defying Parliament’s orders by attending a sitting of the ECOWAS Parliament.

He said the Minority Leader’s decision to attend the ECOWAS session after a resolution was passed by the House to remove him from Ghana’s delegation constitutes contempt.

“The provisions of Order 31 state that any act or omission which affronts the dignity or authority of the Parliament of Ghana, or produces any such effect, constitutes contempt of Parliament and a breach of parliamentary privilege.

'I will be surprised if you still don't understand the rules' - Ayariga to Afenyo-Markin

“Mr Speaker, by defying this Parliament’s resolution removing him from the ECOWAS Parliament and actually going to Port Harcourt and attending the session, he has clearly affronted the dignity and engaged in an act that constitutes an affront to the authority of this Parliament,” he said.

He added, “And it is time that the Honourable Afenyo-Markin be put in his proper place.”

The Majority Leader subsequently filed a complaint of contempt of Parliament and a breach of parliamentary privilege.

He asked the Speaker of Parliament to refer the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee and to impose the appropriate punishment if he is found guilty.

If the motion is passed by the House, Afenyo-Markin could lose his privileges as Minority Leader.

In July 2025, Parliament, through a resolution, adopted the composition of Ghana’s delegation to the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The motion had been consistently advertised on the Order Paper, and on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Majority Leader moved the motion and proposed amendments, including the replacement of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.

The initially advertised delegation included; George Ricketts-Hagan as Leader, Emmanuel Kwame Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and Dr Bryan Acheampong as members, with Millicent Yeboah Amankwah as observer.

'You will not attack anyone and walk away while I sit in this committee' – Ayariga to Afenyo-Markin

However, the Majority Leader proposed that Afenyo-Markin be replaced with his deputy, Patricia Appiagyei, to meet the 30% female quota specified by ECOWAS.

He also amended the list to designate Dr Bryan Acheampong as observer and make Millicent Yeboah Amankwah a member of the delegation.

The Member of Parliament for Bimbilla Constituency, Dominic Nitiwul, opposed the amendment, urging the leadership to resolve the arising issues.

Despite the disagreement, Speaker Alban Bagbin ruled that the motion be carried and directed that the MP for Sunyani West remain as an observer.

The House, by voice vote, adopted the amended delegation, consisting of: George Ricketts-Hagan as Leader; Emmanuel Kwame Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Patricia Appiagyei, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi as members; and Millicent Yeboah Amankwah as observer.

BAI/MA

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