The Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has rejected her inclusion in Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, describing the move as procedurally irregular and legally untenable.
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.
According to Appiagyei, the move to replace Afenyo-Markin contravenes both ECOWAS statutes and established parliamentary practice.
“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 him 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 Judge, or otherwise become ineligible under the governing rules.
“The Minority Leader has not vacated his seat, 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,” part of the memo said.
She pointed out that under ECOWAS rules, a sitting member can only be removed voluntarily, through resignation, disqualification, or appointment to executive or judicial office.
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.
“I respectfully decline my inclusion on the ECOWAS Parliament delegation and state that the proposed change is not desirable,” she reiterated.
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).”
