Parliament has approved a reconstitution of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, appointing Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei to succeed Alexander Afenyo-Markin in the regional legislative body.
The reshuffle also sees Deputy Majority Leader George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan take over as head of the delegation, with Appiagyei serving as his deputy. Ricketts-Hagan currently leads Ghana’s representation in ECOWAS, marking a significant shift in the country’s parliamentary engagement with the regional bloc.
Afenyo-Markin, who previously served as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, is expected to step aside under the new arrangement. However, the decision has sparked controversy in Parliament, especially among members of the Minority Caucus.
Bimbilla MP Dominic Nitiwul openly criticized the process, accusing the Majority of unilaterally imposing decisions on the Minority.
“The leadership should not be moving motions and asking the House to make decisions that they should be taking and bringing to us,” Nitiwul said. “It is not for Parliament, just because the Majority has the numbers, to force their decision on the Minority regarding representation.”
Defending the reshuffle, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga stated that the new appointments are in line with longstanding parliamentary practice.
“It aligns with our tradition that ECOWAS parliamentary roles are typically held by the Deputy Leaders of the House.”
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak issued a stern warning, indicating that disciplinary action could be taken if Afenyo-Markin attempts to participate in ECOWAS proceedings despite his removal from the delegation.
The new appointments are expected to take effect immediately, ahead of the next ECOWAS Parliamentary session.
