The Minority in Parliament has formally challenged Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling that blocked its attempt to secure a parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana.
The Caucus insisted that ongoing criminal prosecutions should not prevent Parliament from investigating institutional failures.
Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin disclosed this on Tuesday at a leadership media briefing ahead of the resumption of Parliament for the Third Meeting of the Second Session, explaining that the Caucus has filed a review of the Speaker’s September 29, 2026 decision under Standing Order 127.
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The review was filed through the First Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu.
According to the Minority Leader, the move is not intended to undermine the authority of the Speaker but to defend Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to hold public institutions accountable.
“This is not an attempt by the Minority to undermine the authority of the Chair. We respect the office of the Speaker and recognise the constitutional responsibility entrusted to its occupant,” he stated.
He, however, argued that respect for the Speaker’s office should not prevent elected representatives from questioning a ruling that raises concerns about Parliament’s oversight powers.
The Minority wants Parliament to investigate the institutional, regulatory and security failures that may have facilitated repeated narcotics seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana.
The caucus cited major interceptions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, France and Lebanon, arguing that the recurrence of such incidents raises serious questions about port security, cargo inspection, customs controls and intelligence coordination.
He maintained that Parliament’s proposed inquiry would not interfere with criminal investigations or determine the guilt or innocence of accused persons.
The inquiry, Hon. Afenyo-Markin said, would rather examine whether public institutions follow established procedures, whether existing laws and security arrangements are adequate, and whether administrative failures require corrective action.
The Minority Leader drew a distinction between the work of criminal courts and Parliament’s oversight responsibilities, arguing that the two constitutional functions should not be treated as mutually exclusive.
“A criminal court determines whether an accused person has committed an offence, whereas Parliament examines whether public institutions have discharged their responsibilities,” he explained.
He warned against using the sub judice principle as a blanket justification to prevent parliamentary scrutiny whenever criminal proceedings are underway.
The Minority leader stressed that the prosecution of suspected traffickers cannot absolve government institutions of their responsibility to explain how substantial quantities of narcotics continue to pass through Ghana-linked commercial channels.
He urged the Speaker to consider the Minority’s review application and allow the proposed inquiry to proceed.
He stressed that the matter is critical not only to national security but also to Ghana’s international reputation and the protection of young people from the devastating consequences of illicit drugs.