Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged parliamentary legal counsel to resist attempts to manipulate parliamentary procedures in ways that marginalise minority voices, stressing that fair legislative processes are essential to democratic accountability.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 8th Africa Colloquium of Legal Counsel to Parliaments at Accra City Hotel on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin said parliamentary lawyers must remain independent and be prepared to provide candid advice whenever the application of parliamentary rules threatens the rights of members.
He cautioned that the responsibility of legal counsel should not be limited to interpreting procedural rules but must also include helping Parliament uphold constitutional principles and protect the rights of all its members.
According to him, parliamentary procedures must not become instruments for suppressing dissent or preventing minority members from participating meaningfully in legislative business.
The Minority Leader argued that the effectiveness of a legislature depends partly on its ability to accommodate differing views, scrutinise government decisions and allow members to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without undue restriction.
He emphasised that parliamentary legal counsel must offer impartial advice regardless of the political affiliations of those involved in a dispute.
Their professional responsibility, he suggested, requires them to assess issues on their legal merits rather than allow partisan considerations to determine their advice.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also stressed that the independence of parliamentary counsel is central to maintaining a balance between the legislative and executive arms of government.
He warned that where legal counsel are unable to act independently, Parliament risks losing an important institutional safeguard against the improper use of authority.
The colloquium brings together legal practitioners serving legislatures across Africa to exchange experiences and examine ways of improving parliamentary legal services.
Discussions include the role of legal counsel in strengthening legislative institutions and the continued relevance of the Nairobi Principles, which outline standards for independent and professional legal services to parliaments.
Mr Afenyo-Markin called for a professional culture in which parliamentary lawyers can advise without fear or favour, including when their opinions may be unwelcome to political leaders.
He maintained that protecting minority participation is not simply a political consideration but an important part of ensuring that parliamentary institutions operate fairly and remain accountable to the public.
