[ 2017-02-10 ]

Afenyo-Markin saves Ghana further ‘shame’ at ECOWAS Parliament
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander
Afenyo-Markin, today [Friday], has withdrawn from
Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, to
save Ghana further embarrassment, following
confusion that broke out on Friday, on the number
that should make up the delegation.

A letter seen by Citi News from the leader of
Ghana’s delegation, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh to the
Speaker of ECOWAS’ Parliament, communicated Mr.
Afenyo-Markin’s decision to step down.

The letter explained that this was to accommodate
the MP for Suhum, Fred Opare Ansah.

This happened after the Speaker of the ECOWAS
Parliament had declined to swear in the
reconstituted Ghanaian delegation, because of what
sources called a “major confusion” over the
membership of the delegation, when the House
reopened for business on Friday in Abuja,
Nigeria.

The confusion was sparked by the refusal of Fred
Opare Ansah to step down as a Member of the
delegation, after he had served notice to continue
as a member because he was still a member of
Parliament in Ghana.

Ghana has eight seats in the ECOWAS Parliament,
but by Mr. Opare Ansah’s refusal to step down,
the Ghanaian delegation jumped to nine.

The Suhum MP had been a member of the ECOWAS
Parliament until the Majority Leadership
reconstituted the Ghanaian delegation with O.B
Amoah, MP for Akwapim South; Ama Pomaah Boateng
Andoh MP for Juaben; Alexander Afenyo-Markin,
Effutu MP; Kwabena Appiah-Pinkra MP for Akrofuom;
MP for Anlo, Clement Kofi Humado; Mahama Ayariga,
the Bawku Central MP and Sampson Ahi, MP for
Bodi.

But some sources say the decision to reconstitute
the delegation was taken without any formal
communication to the Suhum MP.

Despite Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s withdrawal, the
authorities in Abuja insisted on further
clarifications from Accra before swearing in the
Ghanaian delegation.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament during the
swearing in, reportedly heaped praises on Mr.
Afenyo-Markin for his decision to withdraw from
the delegation to save Ghana further
embarrassment.

Afenyo-Markin, a young vociferous MP, was the
youngest among the delegation. A member of the
delegation, an MP who does not want to be named,
has lauded the young MP for his magnanimous act.

He said “In fact, the foreign media has picked
it and the speaker publicly commended Markin for
his decision describing him as a great politician.
Other members from the sub-region took turns to
congratulate Markin for his decision with a round
of applauds on the floor of the house during the
plenary. Markin has really done well for Ghana. I
never expected it from him. I respect him because
nobody from their side was ready to drop. The
decision was for us to come to Ghana with shame.
To be frank, I thought he was ambitious; but now
he’s earned my respect.”

Why did this happen?

Although it is unclear why this mess occurred,
Citi News sources suggests that some factionalism
within the leadership of the NPP in Parliament,
and perceived dislike for the young ambitious MP,
Afenyo-markin by some persons, may have caused it.

Source - citifmonline.com

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