He was appointed at the First Ordinary Session of the Parliament ongoing in Dakar, Senegal.

John Azumah, a graduate of the University of Cape Coast, had previously worked at the Parliament of Ghana, and has over fifteen (15) years of  experience at the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

His previous roles at the ECOWAS Parliament include the Director of Administration and Finance.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Mustapha Cisulo, congratulated Mr. Azumah on his new appointment, and extolled his dedication and hard work with the regional legislature.

Mr. Azumah is a Bachelor of Commerce holder from the University of Cape Coast, and he is in the process of becoming a chartered accountant.

He also holds an MBA in economic management and governance from Birmingham University, UK.

He is expected to serve in his new position for a period of four years. The position was previously held by Dr. Nelson Magbagbeola of Nigeria.

About the ECOWAS Parliament

The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is a forum for dialogue, consultation and consensus for representatives of the people of West Africa with the aim of promoting integration.

It was established under Article 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993.

The Protocol relating to the Parliament was signed in Abuja on 6^th August, 1994, and entered into force in 14^th March, 2002.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Addressing the ECOWAS Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin noted that there was an invitation on the table to Cote d’Ivoire in this regard, with the potential to give the two countries more leverage, as far as the pricing of cocoa is concerned.

[contextly_sidebar id=”CNrI7MTC7ob0Ed8uH2sYy4z4Zx0C0Dkw”]“… if Cote d’Ivoire is ready to accept an invitation by Ghana for them to share a common platform in controlling prices, because it is obvious that the international market, which is the user of cocoa, drives and determines cocoa prices and the poor farmers in our respective countries who are supposed to get the best in terms of value and in effects are shortchanged.”

“So I am quite sure that if Cote d’Ivoire is able to respond positively to such an invitation in Ghana, both countries can have a better situation than before, so over to Cote d’Ivoire,” the Effutu MP stated.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin was speaking after being sworn in as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament after MP for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah, resigned after his deputy ministerial appointment because members of the Executive cannot be part of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire had been taking measures to address the price volatility of cocoa with the two countries, in April 2017, agreeing to coordinate their production strategies during a Cocoa and Coffee Council meeting in Abidjan.

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Coffee and Cocoa Council of Ivory Coast signed an agreement in this regard.

Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are the largest producers of cocoa in the world, accounting for over 60 percent of the global share, but the wavering price volatility has not boded well for the two countries, as they currently contend with a 10-year low in prices.

In the 2015/2016 production year, Ivory Coast produced 1.7 million metric tonnes of cocoa, with Ghana producing about 840,000 tonnes.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, was left stranded outside the legislative house in Abuja, on February 10, 2017, after the speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament refused to swear in the members because the list presented was more than the number of seats available to Ghana.

The incident, which some members called an “international embarrassment to the country” resulted from the refusal of Fred Opare Ansah, Member of Parliament for Suhum, to step down as a Member of the regional legislature.

The MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, subsequently stepped down from Ghana’s delegation to save the country from further embarrassment.

Commenting on the issue, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, who is also the Minster for Parliamentary Affairs, said he cannot be blamed for the embarrassment and called for closer collaboration to avoid future occurrence.

[contextly_sidebar id=”k0ldiG89gpiEpHVHNRKqGN4rqQTTZxEX”]“The composition of the last ECOWAS parliament was predicated on some assumption and agreement that we were going to re-constitute the entire delegation once the term of that parliament came to an end, and all those who were sent there agreed to that. It was a betrayal of trust what happened later, and then my name gets to be linked. Nothing can be furthered away from the truth,” he insisted.

Below is Kyei Mensah Bonsu’s explanation to Parliament on Friday:

“Mr. Speaker it is not as if we are not aware of the protocols underpinning the ECOWAS parliament, we are aware and I will not say it was not ignorance. When the very embarrassing situation occurred the way it occurred, I have been personally linked as if it was my insistence that Parliament seated the delegation the way the delegation came to be constituted…nothing can be furthered away from this.”

“I know that people who are clothed in pettiness and mischief went out there to tarnish my name that it was the Majority Leader who led Parliament to do that.  It was not the Majority Leader who led Parliament to do that. As the Minority Leader is aware, Mr. Speaker this matter came before you, we had agreed about the composition, and we had agreed to terminate membership. I think this should be clear to everyone else because I hear people amongst us saying that the decision was faulty, it wasn’t.

“The composition of the last ECOWAS parliament was predicated on some assumption and agreement that we were going to re-constitute the entire delegation once the term of that parliament came to an end and all those who sent there agreed to that. It was a betrayal of trust what happened later and then my name gets to be linked. Nothing can be furthered away from the truth.”

“I think I must forcefully register that. I’m not angry. Beyond that, there have been an attempt to engage the colleague in question unfortunately, over the past three days, he’s been coming to my office but we haven’t find time to meet because of what we have to do preparing towards the delivery of the budget statement. I believe that we can find space maybe over the weekend to engage in that and then bring this matter to a closure.”

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to the centre, the House must also put in place measures to prevent such “embarrassment” in the future.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NsYVKVV1pAP5SUKe97W7ntFo4r2P3Lmi”]Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, was left stranded outside the legislative house in Abuja, after the speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament refused to swear in the members because the list presented was more than the number of seats available to Ghana.

The incident, which some members called an “international embarrassment to the country” resulted from the refusal of Fred Opare Ansah, NPP MP for Suhum, to step down as a Member of the regional legislature.

The Suhum MP has been a member of the ECOWAS Parliament until the Majority NPP leadership in Ghana’s Legislature reconstituted the Ghanaian delegation to Abuja in a recent statement published by the Ghanaian media.

The reconstituted Ghanaian delegation, which does not include the Suhum MP, has Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, as leader.

Members of the delegation are O.B Amoah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwapim South, Ama Pomaah Boateng Andoh, MP for Juaben, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Effutu MP, Kwabena Appiah-Pinkrah member for Akrofuom.

The rest are member for Anlo, Clement Kofi Humado, Mahama Ayariga, Bawku Central MP and Sampson Ahi, MP for Bodi. Sources say the decision to reconstitute the delegation was taken without any formal communication to the Suhum MP.

The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, subsequently withdrew from Ghana’s delegation to save Ghana further embarrassment.

Although the issues were resolved, some civil society groups are calling for a probe into circumstances surrounding the incidence.

Executive Director of Centre, Dr Rasheed Dramani, said the Privileges Committee of Parliament must take up the matter in order to prevent such embarrassment in the future.

In a Citi News interview, he said, “We just hope that if the privileges committee looks at it, its not an issue that at the end of the day, the committee is going to pass behind their colleague or colleagues and whoever is responsible for this embarrassment, but one where hopefully we can see some lessons learnt and measures put in place, because after every election, we are going to have a reconstitution of this delegation.”

The leadership of parliament is yet take any serious action on this matter.

Meanwhile, the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also called for an investigation into the matter.

He said, the Majority could have avoided the embarrassing situation if it had worked out details internally as he noted that, “per the formula we agreed, the Majority side had to send five members, and we [the Minority] send three members because we had eight seats to occupy on the ECOWAS parliament.”

“At this point, it is important to learn lessons. That is why I intend to raise the matter when the Foreign Affairs committee meets and I am hoping that colleagues on the committee will ask that leadership of the house looks into this matter with the view of preventing a recurrence,” the MP said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament initially refused to swear in the Ghanaian delegation, because of some confusion over the membership of the delegation, when the House reopened for business last Friday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3XJDOK99G24JZCtJKxMRcQUNheN0mEto”]Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Ablakwa said his “preliminary investigations point to some confusion on the part of the Majority side.

Mr. Ablakwa explained that, the Majority could have avoided the embarrassing situation if it had worked out details internally as he noted that, “per the formula we agreed, the Majority side had to send five members, and we [the Minority] send three members because we had eight seats to occupy on the ECOWAS parliament.”

“These are matters that the Majority side should have addressed internally. They should have sorted matters internally just as the minority side did before going out of our jurisdiction so that it does not appear that we went out there to wash our dirty linen in public and to give Ghana a bad name.”

“At this point, it is important to learn lessons. That is why I intend to raise the matter when the Foreign Affairs committee meets and I am hoping that colleagues on the committee will ask that leadership of the house looks into this matter with the view of preventing a recurrence,” the MP said.

Privileges Committee should investigate matter

The Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rashid Dramani, went a step further and said the Privileges Committee of Parliament was the appropriate body to look into the matter.

Also speaking on Eyewitness News, he described the process of constituting a delegation as “quite straight-forward” and said, “Parliament needs to look seriously into this matter because our country is better than this.”

“…I don’t know what happened and how you have a delegation constituted by our Parliament that goes to the ECOWAS parliament and there is confusion about the representation of some of the members. It beats my mind.”

He continued that, the Privileges Committee “is where this matter belongs to because if it is something that is bringing an embarrassment to our country and to our Parliament, I think that is the appropriate quarters where this matter can be looked into.”

Background

The confusion was sparked by the refusal of the MP for Suhum, 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.

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.

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

Mr. Afenyo-Markin later withdrew from the delegation to the ECOWAS.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Probe Ghana’s ‘day of shame’ at ECOWAS parliament – Ablakwa appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The troubles followed the refusal of Fred Opare Ansah, NPP MP for Suhum, to step down as a Member of the regional legislature.

The Suhum MP has been a member of the ECOWAS Parliament until the Majority NPP Leadership in Ghana’s Legislature reconstituted the Ghanaian delegation to Abuja in a recent statement published by the Ghanaian media.

The reconstituted Ghanaian delegation, which does not include the Suhum MP, has Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, as leader.

Members of the delegation are O.B Amoah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwapim South, Ama Pomaah Boateng Andoh MP for Juaben, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Effutu MP, Kwabena Appiah-Pinkrah member for Akrofuom.

The rest are member for Anlo, Clement Kofi Humado, Mahama Ayariga, Bawku Central MP and Sampson Ahi, MP for Bodi.

Sources say the decision to reconstitute the delegation was taken without any formal communication to the Suhum MP.

When the Abuja-based Legislature reopened for business today, the Speaker of the House declined to swear the reconstituted Ghanaian delegation into office because of what sources have called a “major confusion” over the membership of the delegation.

“Ghana has simply been embarrassed today,” one source told this writer on the line from Nigeria”s capital. “This is unpardonable; so humiliating and completely unnecessary.”

“Apparently, Opare Ansah, an existing member of the ECOWAS Parliament, was not informed or consulted by the leadership of the Ghana Parliament before he was dropped from the delegation,” another source added.

“So he naturally refused to step down when confronted with the list detailing the new membership of the Ghana delegation”.

Mr. Opare-Ansah’s reported refusal to step down meant that Ghana’s delegation exceeded the number allocated the country.

“Ghana has eight seats in the ECOWAS Parliament. By Opare Ansah’s refusal to buck down the Ghana delegation jumped to 9, a situation that made it impossible for the authorities here in Abuja to admit the team from Accra,” a delegate from another West African country told this writer via phone.

Insiders say the level of embarrassment provoked by the confusion over the membership of the Ghanaian delegation forced Efutu MP, Alex Afenyo-Markin, to offer to sacrifice his position on the delegation.

“Afenyo-Markin has elected to sacrifice himself just to save Ghana further international embarrassment. It was so bad that the Speaker announced on the floor that he could not swear in the Ghanaian Delegation,” another source close to the situation in Abuja said via phone.

Sources say despite the Efutu MP’s “bold and patriotic decision” to pull out of the delegation, the authorities in Abuja are insisting on further clarifications from Accra before swearing the Ghana delegation into office.

When contacted via phone, Afenyo Markin declined to confirm or deny the reports. At the time of filing this report, Fred Opare Ansah was not available for comment.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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