The Parliament of Ghana has formally adopted a motion to reconstitute the nation’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, paving the way for the reinstatement of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo‑Markin as a member of the delegation. The decision follows the Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei’s rejection of her nomination to replace Afenyo‑Markin, citing a lack of consultation and alleged procedural irregularities in the selection process.
Speaker Alban Bagbin had referred Afenyo‑Markin to the Privileges Committee after former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga petitioned that the leader had defied a parliamentary resolution that removed him from the ECOWAS delegation. Reports indicate the ECOWAS Parliament declined to swear in Ghana’s reconstituted delegation after Afenyo‑Markin, who currently serves as the Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, appeared at proceedings in Port Harcourt despite being replaced.
The matter was eventually resolved after Ghana threatened to withdraw entirely from the regional legislative body. The reconstituted delegation will include Hon George Kweku Ricketts‑Hagan as Leader, Hon Laadi Ayii Ayamba (Hajia) as Member, Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo‑Markin (Osahen) as Member, and Hon Millicent Yeboah Amankwah as Observer.
Observers will watch how the renewed delegation navigates its role in the ECOWAS Parliament and whether the procedural concerns raised by the Deputy Minority Leader are addressed in future appointments.
