Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has officially rejected her inclusion in Ghana’s newly reconstituted delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, describing the nomination process as both procedurally flawed and politically divisive.
In a memorandum addressed to the Speaker of Parliament on July 22, 2025, Madam Appiagyei expressed displeasure at being nominated—without her prior knowledge or consent—to replace Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin in the regional body, calling the move “deeply troubling” and a potential source of division within the Minority Caucus.
“There was an understanding by leadership that the Minority Leader would be on the ECOWAS Parliament delegation, as was communicated to the Committee of Selection,” she wrote.
“It is therefore deeply troubling that a contrary nomination was advanced on the floor without consultation.”
Appiagyei emphasised that Afenyo-Markin, who was sworn in last year as both a member and Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, still holds a valid mandate under ECOWAS protocols, which grant members a four-year tenure.
“A sitting member cannot be removed unless the member voluntarily resigns, is removed from office, appointed to the Executive or as a Judge, or otherwise becomes ineligible,” she stated, adding that none of these conditions applied to the Minority Leader.
While recognising the importance of improving female representation in regional institutions, Madam Appiagyei cautioned against using gender parity as a pretext for political manoeuvring.
“True inclusion must be built on transparent dialogue and not imposed at the expense of established norms,” she wrote.
She concluded by urging Parliament to withdraw her name from the resolution and uphold the original delegation, which includes Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, and Bryan Acheampong.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I reiterate that the resolution that has my name as a nominated member for the delegation to ECOWAS Parliament be stayed. The House should take steps to rescind such a decision since I do not intend to accept the offer made to me by the House, and by this memo, I am refusing to be part of such a delegation. and pray that the Clerk to Parliament does not communicate any such resolution to ECOWAS Parliament that includes my name,” she added.
