Bagbin is pursuing parliamentary bullying – says Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin of presiding over what he describes as parliamentary bullying, following the removal of Damongo MP and Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, from the parliamentary chamber on Tuesday.

Reading a statement on behalf of the Minority Caucus on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Afenyo-Markin condemned the Speaker’s decision to maintain the directive for Abu Jinapor to leave the Chamber, despite the MP having withdrawn allegations he made concerning the alleged sale of Ghanaian diplomatic passports.

Jinapor had raised concerns that diplomatic passports were being sold for amounts ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000, prompting the Speaker to direct him to withdraw the allegations pending evidence.

According to the Minority, Jinapor sought clarification on the specific allegation before expressly withdrawing his comments twice. However, the directive for him to leave the Chamber was upheld.

The Minority described the action as “disproportionate, humiliating and, in its effect, an act of parliamentary bullying.”

“An express withdrawal in compliance with the Speaker’s directive deserves acknowledgement, not punishment,” Afenyo-Markin said.

The development triggered a walkout by Minority MPs, who said their action was in solidarity with Mr. Jinapor and in protest against what they considered an unjust treatment of their colleague.

Beyond the parliamentary confrontation, the Minority insists that the allegations surrounding the issuance of diplomatic and service passports warrant a full investigation.

It claims to possess supporting material raising concerns about alleged false representations and impersonation in the procurement of such passports, with indications of possible illicit transactions.

The caucus has called for the material to be examined through appropriate parliamentary procedures and demanded that Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa appear before Parliament to respond to the allegations.

Afenyo-Markin also accused the governing Majority of using its numerical strength to frustrate parliamentary scrutiny and undermine the rights of the Minority.

He warned that parliamentary majorities must not become instruments of intimidation, arguing that electoral victories do not give governments the licence to suppress dissent or evade accountability.

“The Majority may possess the votes, but the Minority must retain an effective voice and a keen eye for scrutiny,” he stated.

The Minority Leader further urged Speaker Bagbin to demonstrate greater impartiality in managing parliamentary disagreements and to distinguish between legitimate dissent and disrespect.

The caucus has also raised broader concerns about what it describes as a pattern of intimidation, harassment and politically motivated actions against members of the opposition, including arrests, detention and onerous bail conditions.

Reaffirming the Minority’s commitment to its constitutional responsibilities, Afenyo-Markin said the caucus would not be intimidated into abandoning its oversight role.

“Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor shall not be silenced. The Minority Caucus shall not be silenced,” he declared.

The Minority also pledged to continue demanding accountability from government officials and defend the constitutional rights of Parliament and the public at large.