Speaker’s ruling has failed integrity test required of Parliament to discharge its duties – Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticized the Speaker's decision to reject a motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into recent cocaine seizures. Afenyo-Markin asserts that the ruling fails to meet the standards required for Parliament to fulfill its constitutional duties. This statement was made during a press briefing in Parliament on Tuesday, September 29, following the Speaker's ruling during an emergency session.

Afenyo-Markin questioned the Speaker's reliance on ongoing court proceedings as a reason for rejecting the motion. He argued that the Speaker's reasoning does not explain how these court matters override Parliament's constitutional authority to investigate the activities and administration of public institutions involved in the matter.

Afenyo-Markin referred to Articles 93 and 103 of the 1992 Constitution, emphasizing that Parliament has the power to establish committees to investigate the operations and management of ministries, departments, and agencies. The Minority Leader reiterated that the proposed inquiry was not aimed at determining guilt or innocence for individuals facing prosecution.

Instead, the motion requested by the Minority focused on institutional oversight and whether state institutions had appropriately responded to the circumstances surrounding the cocaine seizures.