The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed disappointment with the Speaker’s ruling on its request for the establishment of a committee to investigate the cocaine saga.

Speaking after the ruling, the Minority Leader and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accused the Majority of using its numerical strength with the support of the Speaker to undermine Parliament’s oversight responsibilities.

According to Mr. Afenyo-Markin, “the Majority has used its majority superpower with the help of the Speaker of Parliament to weaken parliamentary oversight”.

He also challenged the Speaker’s reliance on the fact that the matter is currently before the courts, arguing that the position does not sufficiently address the broader institutional questions surrounding the case.

“The Speaker’s assertion of the matter being in court does not provide a clear understanding of the institutions and individuals involved in the case,” he stated.

Afenyo-Markin further accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of being unwilling to confront its own failures, insisting that Parliament has a responsibility to scrutinise matters of public interest.

“The NDC is afraid of its own failures,” he said.

He argued that the Speaker’s ruling failed to meet the standard of accountability and integrity expected of Parliament in the discharge of its constitutional oversight responsibilities.

“The Speaker’s ruling has failed the integrity test required by Parliament to discharge its duties,”Afenyo-Markin added.

The Minority had sought the establishment of a committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the cocaine-related cases including the roles of relevant state institutions and individuals.

The caucus maintains that a parliamentary inquiry will help to clarify the circumstances surrounding the matter and strengthen institutional accountability even as any related criminal proceedings before the courts continue.