The Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has stated that her nomination to join Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, replacing Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is a calculated attempt to create division between her and the leader.
In a memorandum to the Speaker of Parliament on July 22, 2025, Appiagyei stated that she was neither consulted nor did she give consent to be considered as a replacement for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who currently serves as a Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
She stressed that she had never expressed any intention to replace him on the delegation.
“Respectfully, I wish to place on record that I was neither consulted nor did I give my consent to be considered as a replacement for the Minority Leader, Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, on the ECOWAS Parliamentary delegation.
“At no point have I expressed any intention to replace my Leader, and I am particularly concerned that this development appears to be a calculated effort to cause division between myself and my Leader,” she said.
She continued, “Mr Speaker, prior to today’s proceedings, 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.
“It is therefore deeply troubling that a contrary nomination was advanced on the floor without consultation and even more so that proposal was made by the Majority Leader.”
Appiagyei also took issue with arguments suggesting that her nomination was part of efforts to enhance women’s representation in regional bodies, insisting that such moves must be pursued “within the bounds of due process, consultation, and internal consensus.”
“Mr Speaker, while I acknowledge the argument advanced in favour of enhancing women’s representation in regional bodies such as the ECOWAS Parliament, such representation must be pursued within the bounds of due process, consultation, and internal consensus.
“The Minority Caucus is fully committed to promoting gender equity in all spheres of governance. However, using gender parity as a pretext for unilateral and procedurally irregular decisions undermines both the objective and the institutional harmony we seek to preserve.
“True inclusion must be built on transparent dialogue and not imposed at the expense of established norms or the integrity of leadership structures.”
The Deputy Minority Leader urged Parliament to maintain the original nominees to the ECOWAS Parliament delegation which include Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi and Bryan Acheampong.
She further requested that the Clerk to Parliament refrain from communicating any resolution containing her name to the ECOWAS Parliament.
“Mr Speaker, I am mindful of the high regard in which your office is held and the discretion you exercise in facilitating consensus. However, I wish to respectfully decline my inclusion on the ECOWAS Parliament delegation and state that, in my considered opinion, the proposed change is not desirable.
“The Minority Leader is a duly designated member with an unexpired term, and any attempt to remove him from that position without cause or consensus is both procedurally irregular but also politically regrettable.”
According to the rules governing the composition and functioning of the ECOWAS Parliament, established under the Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/16 Relating to the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, adopted in December 2016,
“Article 18 (2) of the Supplementary Act clearly states that Members of the ECOWAS Parliament shall be elected for four (4) years from the date of the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament. This mandate shall last until the last day of the legislature.
“This fixed term is protected and cannot be interrupted arbitrarily by national authorities. Once a member is duly elected and sworn in, their mandate is independent of national political changes or internal reassignments.
“Based on Articles 24 and 25 of the Supplementary Act, the tenure of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers shall be for the life of the Legislature.”
Also, “Replacement of a Member can only occur under the specific circumstances outlined in Article 18 (3) of the Supplementary Act and further clarified in the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament.
“These grounds include:
Death of the Member.
Written resignation to the Speaker (Voluntary resignation)
Certified mental or physical Incapacity to perform his/her duty;
Resignation due to incompatibility as stated in the Act
Removal by Parliament due to disrepute as provided for in the Rules Procedure
Non-Re-election of the member (loss of election).”
