GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Ghana’s Majority Leader in Parliament, has been elected as the 3rd Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. His election brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been actively engaged in parliamentary affairs both domestically and at the ECOWAS Parliament for a significant period.
The inauguration of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament took place on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Guinea’s reinstatement into the Community under the Authority of Heads of State was a notable highlight, reflecting efforts to encourage the country’s return following recent political developments. However, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso were notably absent from the event.
The Republic of Togo, responsible for nominating the Speaker of the 6th Parliament, has yet to finalize its list of candidates. Consequently, the Parliament is currently led by a ceremonial Speaker, Rt. Hon Sidie Mohamed Tunis, as Togo’s parliamentary elections have been postponed from April 20, 2024.
The Deputy Speakers include Barau Jibrin from Nigeria as the 1st Deputy Speaker, Adjaratou Coulibaly from Ivory Coast as the 2nd Deputy Speaker, and Billay G. Tunkara from the Gambia as the 4th Deputy Speaker.
The election process for the Deputy Speakers involved extensive lobbying efforts, with Cabo Verde competing for a position but ultimately missing out due to financial obligations to the sub-regional bloc. This mirrors a similar situation during the 5th ECOWAS Parliament, where Cabo Verde’s participation was hindered by financial constraints, raising concerns among member states.
