The Afenyo-Markin apology to the Interior Minister unfolded on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 4, following controversy over allegations of fraud in the ongoing security service recruitment process.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin formally retracted his earlier claims against the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, and expressed regret over remarks suggesting impropriety in the recruitment exercise.
The development follows a directive by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who referred the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee for contempt after the Interior Minister accused him of making unsubstantiated claims.
Mr Afenyo-Markin had alleged that the engagement of a third-party IT firm in the recruitment process amounted to a scam and imposed excessive financial burdens on applicants.
Retraction and Acceptance
Addressing the House, the Minority Leader withdrew his comments and clarified his intentions.
“Mr Speaker, I will not do that to hurt him or tarnish his reputation, and if the text of my concern reflected so, it is hereby accordingly withdrawn.
"I assure you that concerns that will arise out of any matter shall be properly brought to his attention.” - Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin
In response, the Interior Minister accepted the apology but described the allegations as deeply troubling.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused and be labelled differently from the intention that you have, especially when it is connected with heavy wrongdoing.
"I am heavily hurt and heavily worried, but who am I to say that I will not accept when my colleague comes to apologise? I accept it wholeheartedly.” - Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister for the Interior
He further appealed for the remarks to be expunged from parliamentary records to ensure the matter is treated as resolved.
The exchange brings a temporary closure to tensions over the recruitment process, though it also highlights the sensitivity surrounding transparency and public trust in security service appointments.
