Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagye is pushing back against what she describes as an illegitimate and divisive attempt to replace her Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, on Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament—refusing her own nomination in protest.
In a formal letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Appiagye rejected her inclusion in the reconstituted delegation, condemning the process as lacking transparency, breaching established protocols, and risking party cohesion.
Her name had appeared on a revised list laid before Parliament, replacing Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who currently serves as a Deputy Speaker at the regional legislative body. The new list was reportedly adopted without her consultation, consent, or presence in the House.
Claims of Undermining and Division
Appiagye expressed dismay at what she called a surprising and troubling turn of events. She revealed that leadership had previously agreed Mr. Afenyo-Markin would retain his seat, an understanding reportedly shared with Parliament’s Committee of Selection. The Deputy Minority Leader questioned the motive behind the Majority Leader’s move to table a new list, suggesting it was a calculated effort to create friction within the Minority front.
“This last-minute introduction of my name without consultation appears designed to sow confusion between me and my leader,” she wrote.
Legal and Institutional Objections
Appiagye didn’t just object politically—she challenged the legality of the move. She pointed out that under ECOWAS regulations, Afenyo-Markin’s four-year term, secured through formal swearing-in and election as Deputy Speaker, cannot be arbitrarily cut short.
“Removal from the ECOWAS Parliament is strictly governed. It must result from resignation, disqualification, or an official appointment—not internal politics or parliamentary reshuffles,” she warned.
Her letter strongly urged Parliament to withdraw the revised list and refrain from submitting it to the ECOWAS Secretariat, cautioning that it could trigger institutional pushback and damage Ghana’s credibility within the sub-regional body.
Gender Representation Must Respect Process
While welcoming conversations about gender balance in national and regional representation, Appiagye cautioned against using inclusion as a smokescreen for circumventing due process.
“True inclusion must be rooted in consensus, transparency, and respect for institutional integrity—not imposed through procedural ambush,” she stressed.
Endorsement of Existing Delegation
Reaffirming her loyalty to the Minority Caucus and its leadership, Appiagye concluded by backing the current delegation—Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, and Bryan Acheampong—as Ghana’s rightful representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament.
Her firm rejection adds a new layer of scrutiny to Ghana’s parliamentary delegation process and raises broader concerns about how internal politics intersect with regional diplomacy.
