John AdoyiGhana’s parliament Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, has rejected her nomination to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, describing the move as “procedurally improper” and “politically divisive.”
In a memorandum addressed to Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Ghanaian Parliament, Appiagyei criticised her appointment as a replacement for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, stating that the decision was made without her prior knowledge or consent and risked creating internal divisions within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Join our WhatsApp Channel“There was an understanding by leadership that the Minority Leader would be on the ECOWAS Parliament delegation, as was communicated to the Committee of Selection,” she wrote. “It is therefore deeply troubling that a contrary nomination was advanced on the floor without consultation.”
Appiagyei stressed that Afenyo-Markin, who was sworn in last year as both a member and Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, holds a valid four-year mandate under ECOWAS protocols. According to those rules, a sitting member may only be removed if they voluntarily resign, are appointed to executive or judicial office, or otherwise become ineligible—none of which, she noted, applied in this case.
The ECOWAS Parliament, based in Abuja, Nigeria, functions as the legislative arm of the West African regional bloc. It provides a platform for citizens of member states to be represented in regional governance. Each of the 15 member countries nominates five lawmakers who serve renewable four-year terms. While its resolutions are non-binding, the Parliament plays a key role in advancing regional integration, economic development, and democratic oversight.
In her memorandum, Appiagyei also raised concern over the rationale presented for her nomination, which appeared to be framed as a bid to promote female representation. While she acknowledged the importance of gender inclusion in international delegations, she warned against using gender parity as a pretext for politically motivated decisions.
READ ALSO:
- Post-election Violence Threatens Peace In Ghana After Mahama’s Victory
- Ghana Poised For Energy Renaissance As EXPLORCO Targets Voltaian Basin
- ECOWAS Gives Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Six Months To Reconsider Membership Withdrawal
“True inclusion must be built on transparent dialogue and not imposed at the expense of established norms,” she stated.
Appiagyei called for her name to be formally withdrawn from the ECOWAS delegation and urged Parliament to rescind the resolution that included her. She further requested that the Clerk of Parliament refrain from transmitting her name to the ECOWAS authorities in Abuja.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I reiterate that the resolution that has my name as a nominated member for the delegation to ECOWAS Parliament be stayed,” she wrote. “I do not intend to accept the offer made to me by the House, and by this memo, I am refusing to be part of such a delegation.”
She urged Parliament to reinstate the original delegation that included Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
