By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
Ghana’s Parliament has approved a reconstitution of the country’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, replacing Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin with Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei.
Afenyo-Markin, who also served as Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, is expected to be succeeded in that role by Deputy Majority Leader George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan.
The decision has drawn criticism from some MPs, including Dominic Nitiwul, who accused the Majority Caucus of acting unilaterally.
“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.
“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.”
However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the decision, stating that it aligns with parliamentary tradition.
“The typical practice is that ECOWAS parliamentary roles are assigned to Deputy Leaders of the House,” Ayariga noted.
The reshuffle marks a significant change in Ghana’s representation at the ECOWAS Parliament.
