Parliament has voted out Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin from Ghana’s delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.

The Minority Caucus initially nominated Afenyo-Markin to represent them in the ECOWAS Parliament when they submitted their proposed delegation list for parliamentary approval ahead of the plenary session yesterday, Tuesday, July 22.

During a debate on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, July 22, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, proposed that Afenyo-Markin be replaced by his deputy, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Asokwa Constituency, Patricia Appiagyei. This, he proposed based on the regional, political and economic union founded on May 28, 1975, through the Treaty of Lagos’ gender quota ECOWAS gender quotas.

He said, “This decision aligns with long-standing parliamentary practice, which assigns ECOWAS parliamentary roles to Deputy Leaders of the House. It is not unusual, and it is certainly not a slight to any member.”

ECOWAS Gender Quotas aim to promote inclusive representation of women in governance and decision-making across West Africa. While not yet codified in a binding treaty, the ECOWAS Parliament and its Gender Development Centre (EGDC) have adopted a 30% minimum quota for female representation in national delegations to ECOWAS institutions, parliamentary committees and leadership roles, as well as Cabinet positions and public service appointments.

Afenyo-Markin’s replacement was met with fierce objection from the former Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul. He contended that, though the decision is for Parliament to make, it is just a way for the Majority Caucus to force their decision on them, as it holds the numbers in the House.

“I know it is the decision of the House to do it, but it is not for Parliament, because the Majority has the majority, to force the decision of the Majority on the Minority about representation,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin is currently the Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. However, his position is quite uncommon for the leaders of the respective caucuses (Minority, Majority) to be part of the country's official delegation sent to the ECOWAS Parliament or the Pan-African Parliament.

They are rather led by the Deputy Majority and Deputy Minority Leaders. The new delegation is being constituted as part of preparations to travel to Abuja, Nigeria, to participate in preparatory meetings and committee engagements ahead of the Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, expected later in October or November 2025.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian legislator and humanitarian, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has also been appointed to represent Ghana at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) by Parliament, marking a milestone in her life.

The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle adds to Ghana’s official delegation to the PAP, the legislative arm of the African Union (AU). The Pan African Parliament brings together representatives from all AU member states to advance democratic governance, unity, and cooperation across the continent. By design, each delegation must include at least one woman, ensuring gender balance in Africa's premier parliamentary body.

Alongside Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings are MP for Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor; MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor; MP for Asutifi South, Alhaji Collins Dauda; Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh; and MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah.

About ECOWAS

ECOWAS is a regional political and economic union set up on May 28, 1975, through the Treaty of Lagos. The purpose of the regional bloc was to promote economic integration, peace, and development among West African countries. Currently, the bloc has 12 active member states, including Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Guinea. Although Guinea remains suspended due to a military coup in 2021, it has not formally withdrawn from the bloc.

However, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in January 2025 withdrew from the bloc. The three military-led countries released a joint statement accusing ECOWAS of betraying its founding principles and becoming a threat to member states and their populations.

Citing what they described as the imposition of “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions” following their respective coups. These sanctions included economic restrictions and diplomatic isolation, which the junta argued worsened insecurity and economic hardship in their countries.

Also, the trio called ECOWAS ‘puppets’ of foreign powers, particularly Western nations, calling them out for their failure to support their efforts to combat terrorism and restore stability.

One of the military coups that appears to be seemingly supported by the natives and other Africans includes the one that was led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. He became the interim president of Burkina Faso after staging a military coup on September 30, 2022, with the help of junior officers and elements of the elite “Cobra” special forces, many of whom were aggrieved and upset by poor equipment, unpaid salaries, and deteriorating conditions.

Traoré’s overthrow made him the youngest head of state in the world at the time. He overthrew Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, another military leader who seized power 8 months before Traore overthrew him by the same means he did.

He seized power in January 2022. Traoré attributed his takeover to Damiba’s failure to curb jihadist violence and restore security across the country. Since taking office, he has made significant changes in the administration that have attracted admiration from all over the world.

He nationalised gold mines and created a state-owned mining company, SOPAMIB, which now controls several formerly foreign-owned assets. He approved the construction of Burkina Faso’s first gold refinery, capable of processing 400 kg of gold daily, creating thousands of jobs.

He also cut the salaries of ministers by 30% and effected a 50% wage increase for civil servants.

Despite this, he has rejected loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. His administration launched low-cost housing, agricultural modernization, and road infrastructure projects, including a new airport.

He expelled French troops and media, pivoting Burkina Faso’s foreign policy toward Russia, Turkey, and fellow Sahelian juntas in Mali and Niger, forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

These significant achievements have caused Ghanaian actor and comedian Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly referred to as Lil Win, to produce a movie in honour of the Burkina leader, titled Captain Ibrahim Traoré: The Last African Hero. The movie is set to premiere on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the SG Mall in Kumasi.