Full text: Dep Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei declines her inclusion in delegation to ECOWAS Parliament

Right Hon Speaker, I respectfully write to express my objection and hereby decline to be included in the reconstituted list of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament as adopted on the floor of the House today – an action that was taken in the absence of my good self and the Minority Leader.

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.

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.

Mr Speaker, beyond the procedural impropriety, this action also contravenes the legal and institutional framework governing the ECOWAS Parliament. Once a member is sworn in as an ECOWAS Parliamentarian, the Member’s tenure runs for a term of four years. When elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker, that tenure is coterminous with the parliamentary term.

Hon. Afenyo- Markin was duly sworn in as a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament last year and subsequently elected as a Deputy Speaker. His tenure, by law and by ECOWAS protocol, remains valid and ongoing. There is therefore no legal or procedural justification for his removal and any attempt to replace hin on the delegation not only breaches internal parliamentary practice but also violates ECOWAS statutes.

Furthermore, consistent with ECOWAS Parliamentary practice, a sitting Member cannot be removed from the delegation unless the Member voluntarily resigns, is removed from office, appointed to the Executive or as a fudge, or otherwise become ineligible under the governing rules. The Minority leader has not vacated his scat, nor has he been disqualified under any such criteria. Any action outside these parameters is completely against the Supplementary Act and the rules of the ECOWAS Parliament and may be rejected by the ECOWAS Parliament itself.

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.

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.

I respectfully pray that the Minority Caucus’ original nominees to the ECOWAS Parliament be maintained, namely:

1. Hon Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin Member 2. Hon Kwame Anyimadu Antwi Member 3. Hon Bryan Acheampong Member

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. The House should take steps to rescind such decision since 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 delegation and pray that the Clerk to Parliament does not communicate any such resolution to ECOWAS Parliament that includes my name.