Parliament is expected to approve the reinstatement of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament today, June 23, following the decision of Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei to step aside from the delegation.
Mrs Appiagyei’s decision creates a vacancy that will allow Mr Afenyo-Markin to take up a seat on the eight-member delegation, in line with a motion expected to be considered by the House.
According to the list published in Parliament’s Order Paper, Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament will comprise eight members and one observer. The delegation is led by George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and includes Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Bryan Acheampong and Millicent Yeboah Amankwah.
Mr Afenyo-Markin’s return to the delegation follows controversy surrounding the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria, where his presence reportedly contributed to a dispute that resulted in the refusal of the regional legislative body to swear in Ghana’s entire delegation.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga later informed Parliament that he had personally intervened to resolve the impasse and facilitate the swearing-in of the delegation.
Following the incident, Mr Ayariga reported the matter to the House and petitioned Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to refer Mr Afenyo-Markin to Parliament’s Privileges Committee for allegedly bringing the image of Parliament into disrepute.
The Minority Leader was subsequently referred to the committee for investigation, although the outcome of the inquiry has not yet been made public more than two months later.
Under Parliament’s resolution governing Ghana’s representation at the ECOWAS Parliament, the delegation must include members from both the Majority and Minority sides of the House, including the Deputy Majority Leader and the Deputy Minority Leader.
Mr Afenyo-Markin previously served in the ECOWAS Parliament during his tenure as Deputy Majority Leader under former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Parliament’s decision to replace Patricia Appiagyei with the Minority Leader is expected to address concerns raised during the earlier inauguration process and ensure smoother representation for Ghana within the ECOWAS Parliament going forward.
