Ghana’s Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor after he was ordered to leave Parliament for failing to provide evidence for allegations that diplomatic passports were being sold.
Mr Jinapor told Parliament on 3 November that officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were selling diplomatic passports for between GHC10,000 and GHC50,000. When Speaker Alban Bagbin asked him to substantiate the claim, he was unable to do so and was directed to withdraw from the chamber.
At a media briefing on 4 November, Mr Afenyo-Markin described the Speaker’s decision as unfair and disproportionate.
“We the Minority consider that response disproportionate and in its effect, an act of parliamentary bullying. I say this deliberately, respectfully and without pleasure,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said Mr Jinapor, the Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, had complied with the Speaker’s instruction after asking which allegation he was required to withdraw.
“Mr Speaker, I withdraw,” Mr Jinapor said, according to the Minority’s statement. The statement said he repeated the withdrawal, but was still required to leave the chamber.
The Minority Leader said the action had denied Parliament the opportunity to examine serious concerns about the acquisition of diplomatic or service passports through false representations and apparent impersonation. The statement referred to allegations that diplomatic passports were being sold for between US$10,000 and US$50,000.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority’s Foreign Affairs Caucus had supporting material which it intended to present, adding that the evidence should be authenticated and those named should be given an opportunity to respond.
He acknowledged the Speaker’s duty to maintain order and require allegations to be supported, but argued that parliamentary authority should be exercised with restraint. The Minority, he said, had walked out of Parliament with Mr Jinapor in solidarity and in protest against what it considered unjust and heavy-handed treatment.
The statement said a diplomatic passport carried the authority and reputation of the Republic, meaning any credible allegation of abuse required serious investigation. It cited Article 103 and Parliament’s Standing Orders as providing for committees to investigate ministries and departments.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also warned that the government’s majority of more than two-thirds made it particularly important to protect the Minority’s role in scrutinising the executive. He said an electoral mandate did not permit any government to suppress accountability, and described “elective dictatorship” as a danger when parliamentary numbers repeatedly frustrate scrutiny.
Referring to the United States midterm elections, he said American voters had removed the Republican Party’s majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives two years after giving it control of both chambers. He said the result was a reminder to the NDC Majority in Ghana that voters could also withdraw their support.
The Minority Leader called on Parliament to examine the evidence, hear the Foreign Affairs Minister and allow the public to reach its own judgment.
He further said the Minority had faced intimidation, arrests, detention and onerous bail conditions while in opposition, but would continue to hold the government and its officials accountable.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also criticised Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, saying he had been outspoken in opposition and should now defend the principles he previously supported.
“Honourable Jinapor shall not be silenced. The Caucus shall not be silenced,” he said.
