The Minority in Parliament has vowed to present evidence of an alleged illicit trade in Ghanaian diplomatic and service passports.
The Caucus insisted that claims of the travel documents being obtained through false representations and impersonation require a thorough investigation.
The side claimed it has supporting material raising serious concerns about the alleged procurement of diplomatic passports at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and intends to make the evidence available for public scrutiny.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who disclosed this at a press conference in Parliament, said members of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee would present the available evidence to enable the public to examine the allegations.
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He stressed the need for the authenticity of the material to be independently tested and for individuals implicated to be given an opportunity to respond.
“A diplomatic passport carries the authority and reputation of the Republic. Any credible indication that it is being obtained through false representations demands scrutiny of the highest seriousness,” he said.
The Minority Leader urged Parliament to exercise its constitutional oversight responsibilities under Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution, which empowers parliamentary committees to investigate ministries, departments and agencies.
Defending Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who was evicted from the Chamber by Speaker Alban Bagnin over the subject on Wednesday, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Damongo MP had withdrawn his remarks after being directed by the Speaker but was still ordered out of the Chamber.
Mr Jinapor had raised allegations that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for between US$10,000 and US$50,000 and demanded accountability from the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the decision to remove the MP despite his compliance with the Speaker’s directive.
“His compliance was rewarded by being walked out,” he said.
The Minority Caucus described the action as “disproportionate, humiliating and, in its effect, an act of parliamentary bullying”.
The caucus also warned that the government’s overwhelming parliamentary majority, which exceeds two-thirds of the House, could create conditions for what it described as an “elective dictatorship” if accountability and parliamentary scrutiny were undermined.
The Minority further accused the government of subjecting its members to what it described as a disturbing pattern of intimidation, harassment and politically motivated actions.
It cited alleged arrests, detention and onerous bail conditions involving some of its members as examples of the treatment it says the caucus has endured.
“Cowardice is not in our DNA. Fear is a stranger to our heartbeat. Intimidation cannot break our spirit,” the statement declared.
The caucus vowed to continue demanding accountability from the government, ministers and public officials, insisting that pressure would not deter it from performing its parliamentary responsibilities.
Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that the parliamentary incident should not distract from the substantive allegations involving diplomatic and service passports.
He challenged Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to submit himself to parliamentary scrutiny, arguing that the minister must be held to the same accountability standards he demanded from the previous administration.
“Let a mighty Minority make its case and let the evidence be examined and let the minister be heard. Let Parliament perform its duty and let the people decide,” he said.