Afenyo-Markin ‘drags Ho West MP Kwesi Bedzrah to Privileges Committee’ for misconduct

A political storm is brewing in Parliament following a formal request from the Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, calling for a probe into the conduct of Ho West MP, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah.

In a memorandum dated June 2, 2025, addressed to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin cited what he described as a “troubling incident” that occurred on March 28 during deliberations on the Gold Board Bill.

According to the Minority Leader, Hon. Bedzrah ‘unilaterally and inappropriately switched off the microphone’ of Minority Chief Whip Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh while he was addressing the Chair – an act Afenyo-Markin said was not only a breach of Standing Orders but a threat to parliamentary decorum.

“This conduct, carried out in full view of the House, was wholly inappropriate and contrary to the rules and conventions governing proceedings in the Chamber.”

“It undermines the authority of the House and risks setting a precedent that threatens the conduct of parliamentary business,” the Minority Leader noted.

Citing Orders 30 and 31 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Minority Leader argued that Hon. Bedzrah’s action constituted contempt of Parliament and called on the Speaker to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges and Immunities.

Order 30 states that an act which “obstructs or impedes Parliament” or “affronts the dignity of Parliament” constitutes contempt. Meanwhile, Order 31 outlines misconduct and acts of intimidation among other offenses that violate parliamentary privilege.

The Minority Leader also referred to what he described as a pattern of misconduct by Hon. Bedzrah. He recalled a similar incident earlier this year, when Bedzrah was asked to recuse himself as Chair of an Ad-hoc Committee investigating disturbances at an Appointments Committee sitting.

Afenyo-Markin also cited Bedzrah’s controversial remarks during a parliamentary standoff in October 2024, in which the MP allegedly threatened to beat members of the then Majority Caucus.

“If you come and say I should move from your seat, I will beat you. We will beat them. 7th January will happen again,” Bedzrah was quoted as saying—a statement Afenyo-Markin argued was widely condemned at the time for inflaming tensions.

“Our concern is about safeguarding the procedural integrity of this House. The incident of 28th March must not be allowed to pass without examination,” Afenyo-Markin emphasized.

He appealed to the Speaker’s known commitment to fairness and due process stating: “It is in the interest of this House’s credibility and in keeping with the principles of accountability and mutual respect that I respectfully request the conduct of Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Immunities.”