Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has filed a complaint with Parliament, accusing Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of contempt after he attended an ECOWAS Parliament session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, despite being removed from Ghana's delegation by legislative resolution on July 22, 2025. Ayariga requested that Speaker Alban Bagbin refer the matter to the Privileges Committee for investigation and potential sanctions under Standing Orders 30 and 31.
The Bawku Central legislator stated that Afenyo-Markin's presence at the September 25 to 28 gathering initially prompted ECOWAS Parliament officials to refuse swearing in Ghana's representatives. Ayariga reported threatening to withdraw Ghana from the regional body before four delegation members were eventually sworn in. He characterized the attendance as defiance that undermined parliamentary authority and brought the institution into disrepute.
Speaker Bagbin confirmed he would review the complaint before determining how to proceed with the allegations.
The Bawku Central legislator stated that Afenyo-Markin's presence at the September 25 to 28 gathering initially prompted ECOWAS Parliament officials to refuse swearing in Ghana's representatives. Ayariga reported threatening to withdraw Ghana from the regional body before four delegation members were eventually sworn in. He characterized the attendance as defiance that undermined parliamentary authority and brought the institution into disrepute.
Speaker Bagbin confirmed he would review the complaint before determining how to proceed with the allegations.
