Parliament replaces Afenyo-Markin with Patricia Appiagyei in ECOWAS delegation

Ghana’s Parliament has approved a revised list of representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament, replacing Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin with his deputy, Patricia Appiagyei.

The change aligns with longstanding parliamentary practice that bars frontbench leaders—such as Majority and Minority Leaders—from serving on external legislative bodies, including the ECOWAS and Pan-African Parliaments.

These positions are typically reserved for deputy leaders to avoid conflicts of interest and allow caucus leaders to focus on domestic parliamentary business.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga moved the amendment during a plenary session, citing both precedent and the need to ensure gender balance in the delegation.

Speaker Alban Bagbin supported the move, noting that ECOWAS rules specifically require the Deputy Minority Leader—not the Minority Leader—to be a member of the delegation.

Despite the procedural basis, the decision drew criticism from some members of the House. Former Defence Minister and MP for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, voiced strong objections, accusing the Majority of acting unilaterally and failing to consult the Minority.

He also warned that Afenyo-Markin might defy the directive, referencing similar past incidents where removed members still presented themselves to international assemblies.

Afenyo-Markin, until the reshuffle, served as the Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

His role has since been taken over by Deputy Majority Leader George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, who now leads Ghana’s delegation.

Approved List of Ghana’s ECOWAS Delegation:

• 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

The reshuffle, while grounded in institutional norms and gender considerations, has sparked renewed debate over the balance of power and the need for cross-party consensus in international parliamentary representation.