By The Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has been appointed as the 3rd Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
His selection for this role underscores his vast experience and contributions to both national and ECOWAS parliamentary affairs.
The inauguration ceremony for the 6th ECOWAS Parliament took place on April 4, 2024, during which Guinea’s readmission was a notable development, symbolizing progress towards regional stability following recent political challenges.
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The absence of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso at the ceremony was noted, marking a gap in the community’s unity.
The Republic of Togo, tasked with nominating the Speaker for the 6th Parliament, is yet to announce its candidates. Consequently, Sidie Mohamed Tunis has been appointed as the interim ceremonial Speaker, given that Togo’s parliamentary elections have been postponed to a later date.
The Deputy Speakers include Barau Jibrin from Nigeria, Adjaratou Coulibaly from Ivory Coast, and Billay G. Tunkara from the Gambia, occupying the 1st, 2nd, and 4th positions respectively.
The selection of Deputy Speakers was marked by intense lobbying, with Cabo Verde’s bid falling short due to unmet financial commitments to the ECOWAS, reminiscent of the challenges it faced during the 5th ECOWAS Parliament.
This situation has raised concerns among member states regarding financial participation and its impact on governance.
With the inauguration of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament, the newly elected representatives face the critical responsibility of tackling regional issues and promoting the shared goals of the member nations, against a landscape marked by intricate political and economic dynamics throughout the area.
