Parliament yesterday July 22, 2023 witnessed some dramatic events as what per convention has always played out behind the scenes played out in the open. The subject was membership of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament. Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin who was the leader of delegation in the 8th Parliament insisted on being part of the team regardless of his new status as minority leader. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga however moved a motion for an amendment to the composition of the delegation for Afenyo-Markin to be replaced by his deputy Patricia Appiagyei in order to meet the 30% quota for women. He argued leaders have by convention not been part of the delegation given the need for them to always be present in the chamber.
Former Minister for Defence and MP for Bimbilla Dominic Nitiwul appealed to the speaker for the misunderstanding to be addressed behind closed doors given the implications.
Interior Minister and MP for Asawase Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak who has been a long standing member of the Pan African parliament questioned the quest of the minority leader to still serve at the ECOWAS Parliament. According to him the other privileges provided by his new office should be enough to allow others the opportunity
Speaker subsequently ruled the house voted on the motion which was done consequently replacing the minority leader with his deputy Patricia Appiagyei
