Parliament has approved a reconstitution of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, replacing Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin with Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei.
The decision communicated by the Majority Leader was opposed by some Minority MPs, who urged that it be deferred and discussed in conclave.
The Speaker ruled and accepted the amended list to exclude the Minority Leader.
Afenyo-Markin served as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. His role has since been succeeded by Deputy Majority Leader George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan who leads the delegation to ECOWAS Parliament.
The reshuffle has drawn criticism, particularly from the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, who accused the Majority Caucus of acting unilaterally and failing to consult the Minority on the changes.
“I think that the leadership should not be moving motions and asking the House to take decisions that they should be taking and bringing to us.
“I know it is the decision of the House to do it, but it is not for Parliament because the Majority has majority, to force the decision of the majority on the minority about representation,”
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga while making submission on the decision to replace Afenyo-Markin cited gender parity as the reason for the decision
Speaker Bagbin also responded and justified the decision, stating that ECOWAS rules demand that the Deputy Minority Leader should be a member of the delegation, not the Minority Leader.
“I think that is the fair way for us to chart,” he said.
List of amended delegation to ECOWAS Parliament
George K. Ricketts-Hagan – Leader
Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah – Member
Laadi Ayii Ayamba – Member
Eric Afful – Member
Dominic Napare – Member
Patricia Appiagyei – Member
Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi – Member
Bryan Acheampong – Member
Millicent Yeboah Amankwah – Observer
