The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has defended his legitimacy and continued stay in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, insisting he will serve his full tenure despite attempts to challenge his position.
He expressed confidence that no attempt to drag him before the Privileges Committee would succeed, stating that such a move would be undemocratic and unjustified.
Delivering his concluding remarks as Parliament rose for the Christmas recess last Friday, Afenyo-Markin emphasised that he has committed no wrongdoing to warrant disciplinary action, insisting that the ECOWAS Parliament had already dismissed any resolution targeting his removal.
He declared, “The Minority Leader has not disrespected any order of this House. Indeed, the ECOWAS Parliament rejected outright the resolution that sought to remove the Minority Leader from his seat as an ECOWAS MP.”
He stressed that his membership and position as Third Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament are not privileges that can be arbitrarily withdrawn.
He reiterated that, unlike political appointees who can be removed, his position is a duly secured mandate within regional parliamentary structures.
“You can remove the Chief Justice, you can remove others who are political appointees, but not his bona fide right as a member of ECOWAS Parliament and Third Deputy Speaker. He shall remain until April 2028, when his tenure shall have come to an end,” he added.
Parliament has since adjourned for the Christmas recess, with sittings expected to resume in the new session.
The controversy surrounding Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s position in the ECOWAS Parliament stems from disagreements over Ghana’s representation and the legitimacy of his continued stay in the regional legislative body. The issue intensified after moves were reportedly initiated within Ghana’s Parliament to question his eligibility and role, including suggestions that he could be hauled before the Privileges Committee.
At the heart of the dispute is his position as a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament and Third Deputy Speaker, a role conferred through structured parliamentary processes within the regional body when he was the Deputy Majority leader.
He maintains that the ECOWAS Parliament firmly rejected any effort to revoke his membership, stressing that his tenure is protected and cannot be arbitrarily terminated like a political appointment.
The development evolved into both a legal and political debate, touching on issues of parliamentary sovereignty, democratic principle, precedent and institutional respect. Afenyo-Markin insists that he has violated no parliamentary order and remains entitled to complete his mandate, which is expected to run until April 2028, reaffirming his resolve to defend his position and legitimacy within the ECOWAS Parliament.
