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 representation.
The development follows the decision by Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei to decline her nomination to replace Afenyo-Markin. She reportedly raised concerns about inadequate consultation and alleged procedural breaches surrounding the selection process.
Earlier, Alban Bagbin referred Afenyo-Markin to Parliament’s Privileges Committee after a petition from Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga accused him of disregarding a parliamentary resolution that removed him from Ghana’s ECOWAS delegation.
Reports suggest that the ECOWAS Parliament subsequently refused to swear in Ghana’s newly constituted delegation after Afenyo-Markin, who serves as the Third Deputy Speaker of the regional legislative body, participated in proceedings in Port Harcourt despite having been replaced.
The impasse was eventually resolved after Ghana reportedly threatened to withdraw its participation from the ECOWAS Parliament altogether.
Under the new composition, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan will lead Ghana’s delegation. Other members include Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Bryan Acheampong.
Millicent Yeboah Amankwah will serve as an observer on the delegation.
The reconstitution is expected to bring closure to the controversy surrounding Ghana’s representation at the ECOWAS Parliament and restore the country’s full participation in the regional legislative body.
Source: citinews
