A simmering dispute over Ghana’s representation at the ECOWAS Parliament has escalated into a full-blown institutional confrontation, after Speaker Alban Bagbin referred Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the Privileges Committee for contempt.
The development follows weeks of tension between Ghana’s two caucuses over the country’s delegation to the regional legislative body—an issue that recently disrupted proceedings at the ECOWAS Parliament itself.
The Speaker’s decision was triggered by a petition from Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who accused Afenyo-Markin of disregarding a parliamentary resolution that replaced him on the ECOWAS delegation. According to Ayariga, Afenyo-Markin’s appearance at the Port Harcourt session—despite being officially removed—led the ECOWAS Parliament to initially refuse to swear in Ghana’s new representatives.
The standoff reportedly escalated to the point where Ghana threatened to withdraw its entire delegation before ECOWAS leadership intervened.
Bagbin, in referring the matter to the Privileges Committee, signaled the seriousness of the alleged misconduct and appealed for calm as the inquiry begins. He emphasized that Parliament must preserve decorum while allowing the Committee to act independently and professionally.
“I urge the Committee to discharge its mandate with decorum and impartiality. MPs must refrain from public commentary,” he cautioned.
The case has now become more than just a procedural disagreement. It touches on Ghana’s diplomatic standing within ECOWAS and highlights deepening tensions within the House, where political rivalries increasingly spill over into the country’s engagement with regional institutions.
The Privileges Committee is expected to investigate whether Afenyo-Markin’s actions amount to misconduct or a breach of parliamentary privilege, a finding that could carry political and procedural consequences for the Minority Leader.
For now, the controversy underscores how internal parliamentary disagreements can reverberate beyond Ghana’s borders—affecting the country’s voice and credibility in regional governance.
