Afenyo-Markin Retracts Fraud Allegations Against Interior Minister Over Security Recruitment

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has formally withdrawn allegations of fraud he levelled against the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, regarding the ongoing security services recruitment exercise.

The retraction and apology were delivered on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 4 March, following a directive by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who had referred the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee over claims deemed potentially contemptuous.

The referral was prompted by a complaint from the Interior Minister, who described the allegations as unfounded and harmful to his reputation.

Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier alleged that the involvement of a third-party IT firm in the recruitment process amounted to a scam and imposed an unfair financial burden on applicants.

Addressing the House, the Minority Leader clarified his position and withdrew the claims.

“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not do that to hurt him or tarnish his reputation, and if the text of my concern reflected so, it is hereby accordingly withdrawn.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,” he stated.

In response, Mr Muntaka said the accusations had been distressing, particularly given their seriousness.

“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,” he said.

The Interior Minister further appealed to the Speaker to have the matter expunged from the official parliamentary record, expressing the hope that it would be treated as though it had not occurred.

The development brings a temporary close to the dispute, as both sides signal a willingness to move forward.