Parliament to reinstate Afenyo-Markin as member of delegation to ECOWAS parliament

The Parliament of Ghana is expected to reinstate Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as a member of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament during proceedings on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

The move follows the decision of Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei to step aside from the delegation, creating a vacancy that will allow the Minority Leader to take up the position.

According to Parliament’s Order Paper, Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament comprises eight members and one observer. The delegation is led by George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and includes Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Eric Afful, Dominic Napare, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Bryan Acheampong, and Millicent Yeboah Amankwah.

Afenyo-Markin’s return to the regional parliamentary body comes months after controversy surrounding Ghana’s delegation during the inauguration of the new ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.

Reports indicate that the ECOWAS Parliament initially declined to swear in Ghana’s full eight-member delegation, a situation that reportedly required intervention from Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga to resolve.

Following the incident, Mr Ayariga informed Parliament and petitioned Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to refer the Minority Leader to the Privileges Committee for investigation over allegations that his actions had brought the image of Parliament into disrepute.

Although Afenyo-Markin was subsequently referred to the committee, the outcome of the investigation has yet to be publicly announced more than two months later.

Under Parliament’s resolution governing Ghana’s representation at the ECOWAS Parliament, the delegation must reflect bipartisan representation and include both the Deputy Majority Leader and Deputy Minority Leader.

The decision by Patricia Appiagyei not to serve on the delegation has therefore opened the way for Afenyo-Markin’s inclusion, a development expected to align Ghana’s representation with ECOWAS parliamentary requirements and help avoid future procedural challenges.

Afenyo-Markin is no stranger to the regional legislative body, having previously served in the ECOWAS Parliament during his tenure as Deputy Majority Leader under former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Parliament is expected to formally approve the change through a motion during today’s sitting.