Parliament restores Afenyo-Markin to ECOWAS delegation
A dispute over Ghana's representation to the regional parliament ends with the approval of a revised list of nominees.
Ghana's Parliament has approved a motion to reconstitute its delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, returning Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the body. The decision came after Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei asked to be taken off the proposed list of replacements, citing a lack of consultation and alleged irregularities in the selection process.
Parliament had first removed Mr Afenyo-Markin from the delegation, but he kept asserting his place in the regional legislature, where he serves as Third Deputy Speaker. His appearance at proceedings in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, reportedly led the ECOWAS Parliament to refuse to swear in the revised delegation, and Ghana threatened to withdraw from the body before the matter was settled. Speaker Alban Bagbin had referred him to the Privileges Committee after a petition by former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.
Under the new arrangement, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan will lead the delegation, with Mr Afenyo-Markin as a member. The other members are Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Bryan Acheampong, while Millicent Yeboah Amankwah will serve as observer. The reconstitution is expected to let the delegation resume its work in the ECOWAS Parliament.
Why it mattersGhana's seven delegation members and one observer are named in the reconstituted team, and the country's work in the ECOWAS Parliament depends on the settlement.