Majority Leader Ayariga Expresses Concern Over Ghana’s Representation at ECOWAS Parliament

The Majority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Osman Mahama Ayariga, has expressed deep concern over recent developments involving Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.

Addressing the House, Hon. Ayariga revealed that he had to intervene and issue a stern warning to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament after reports emerged that Ghana’s delegation might return home without being sworn in. He stated that he had threatened that if such an event occurred, he would move for the dissolution of Ghana’s participation in ECOWAS altogether.

According to him, it was only after this intervention that the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament proceeded to swear in the four members representing Ghana. Hon. Ayariga further noted that the Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, attended a session of the ECOWAS Parliament in what he described as a “clear act of defiance” against a resolution passed by the Parliament of Ghana.

The Majority Leader added that because Hon. Afenyo-Markin attended the ECOWAS session despite the resolution, he had invoked Order 31 of Parliament’s Standing Orders, which states that any act or omission that affronts the dignity or authority of Parliament constitutes contempt of Parliament and a breach of parliamentary privilege.

He emphasized that Hon. Afenyo-Markin’s actions defying Parliament’s resolution, disregarding his removal from the ECOWAS delegation, and participating in the Port Harcourt session amount to a direct affront to the dignity and authority of Ghana’s Parliament.

Hon. Ayariga concluded by stating that it was time for Hon. Afenyo-Markin to be “put in his proper place” in accordance with the rules and principles that govern the House.

Report by PKB