Tensions in Parliament were defused on Tuesday after the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, formally retracted allegations of fraud surrounding recent security service recruitments and issued an apology to the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka.
The apology, delivered on the floor of the House, brings a close to a heated dispute that had threatened to further inflame partisan tensions. It also led to the immediate withdrawal of a complaint that had been referred to the Committee on Privileges and Immunities.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin clarified that it was never his intention to personally injure the reputation of the Minister. He stated that if his earlier comments during the debate on the State of the Nation Address were interpreted as a direct allegation against Mr. Muntaka, he regretted the impression.
“I want to state categorically that contrary to the impression he had that I specially made an allegation against him which injures his reputation, I will not do that specifically to hurt him or his Ministry,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said. “If the text of my concerns reflected so, it is hereby accordingly withdrawn.”
He emphasized the importance of collegiality, noting that when a member of the House feels strongly that an unintended statement has been made, the proper course of action is to withdraw it.
Speaker Withdraws Referral
Following the apology and its acceptance by the Interior Minister, the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who presided over proceedings, ruled that the matter was resolved.
He announced the withdrawal of the referral of the Minority Leader to the Committee on Privileges and Immunities, which had been tasked with examining the initial allegations. Furthermore, Mr. Ahiafor directed that the original claims made by the Minority Leader be expunged from the official records of the House.
‘Heavily Hurt’ but Accepting
Responding to the apology, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak described the episode as deeply painful, particularly because the allegations suggested criminality and serious wrongdoing against him and his ministry.
Having served in parliamentary leadership himself, he stressed the importance of mutual respect among colleagues.
“Colleagues, remember most of the time I keep saying, please, let us respect each other,” the Interior Minister stated. “I will be the first to always say that we fight for the right thing to be done… but let us not do it as we intend to destroy each other.”
Despite expressing that he was “heavily hurt and heavily worried,” Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak accepted the apology in the spirit of parliamentary practice and forgiveness.
“I accept it wholeheartedly,” he said, adding that he hoped the resolution would guide all members and assure the Minority that his ministry remains open to addressing any legitimate concerns they may have in the future.
