Parliament is set to reconstitute Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, a move that will see Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin return as a member of the country’s delegation.
The development follows the decision by Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei to reject her nomination to replace Mr Afenyo-Markin, citing a lack of consultation and alleged procedural irregularities in the selection process.
The issue stems from a petition filed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, which led Speaker Alban Bagbin to refer Mr Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee over allegations that he had defied a parliamentary resolution removing him from Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
The controversy deepened after the ECOWAS Parliament reportedly declined to swear in Ghana’s reconstituted delegation when Mr Afenyo-Markin, who currently serves as the Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, participated in proceedings in Port Harcourt despite having been replaced.
Reports indicate that the impasse was eventually resolved after Ghana threatened to withdraw from the regional legislative body.
As part of the reconstitution, Parliament is expected to submit a new list of representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament.
The proposed delegation will be led by George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and will include Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Dr Bryan Acheampong.
Millicent Yeboah Amankwah has also been nominated as an observer.
The reconstitution is expected to restore Ghana’s full participation in the affairs of the ECOWAS Parliament while bringing an end to the dispute over the country’s representation in the regional legislative body.
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