Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has rejected her nomination to serve on Ghana’s reconstituted delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
Appiagyei, who was nominated as a replacement for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, raised concerns about the process and its implications for unity within the Minority Caucus.
In a memorandum submitted to the Speaker of Parliament on July 22, 2025, the Asokwa MP stated that she was not consulted prior to her selection.
She described the development as “procedurally inappropriate” and cautioned that such unilateral decisions could fuel internal tensions.
“There was an understanding by leadership that the Minority Leader would be on the ECOWAS Parliament delegation, as was communicated to the Committee of Selection.
“It is therefore deeply troubling that a contrary nomination was advanced on the floor without consultation,” the memo read in part.
She emphasised that the Effutu MP, who was sworn in as a member and Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament last year, retains a valid and ongoing mandate under ECOWAS protocols, which grant members a four-year term.
“A sitting member cannot be removed unless the member voluntarily resigns, is removed from office, appointed to the Executive or as a Judge, or otherwise becomes ineligible,” she noted, adding that none of these conditions applied to the Minority Leader.
While acknowledging efforts to enhance female representation in regional bodies, Madam Appiagyei warned against using gender parity as a cover for politically motivated decisions.
“True inclusion must be built on transparent dialogue and not imposed at the expense of established norms,” she wrote.
She has therefore requested the withdrawal of her name from the resolution and asked that Parliament rescind the decision.
She further urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to maintain the original nominees: Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Asante-Akim Central MP Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I reiterate that the resolution that has my name as a nominated member for the delegation to ECOWAS Parliament be stayed. The House should take steps to rescind such a decision since I do not intend to accept the offer made to me by the House.
“By this memo, I am refusing to be part of such a delegation and pray that the Clerk to Parliament does not communicate any such resolution to the ECOWAS Parliament that includes my name,” she added.
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