Afenyo-Markin hands over Ghana’s ECOWAS Parliament leadership to Ricketts-Hagan

The Third Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has handed over leadership of Ghana’s delegation to the regional legislature to the Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament, Kwaku George Ricketts-Hagan.

The transition took place on Wednesday (Sept 23) during the ongoing Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament and the 2026 Parliamentary Seminar in Accra.

‘Worthy successor’

Handing over the mantle of leadership, Mr Afenyo-Markin described his successor, Mr Ricketts-Hagan as a “worthy successor” capable of providing effective leadership to Ghana’s delegation.

He expressed confidence that the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South would bring considerable parliamentary experience, commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and an understanding of regional integration to the position.

He said the change in leadership reflected the broader principle that parliamentary leadership should be anchored in service, continuity and institutional development.

“I have every confidence that he will bring to this responsibility his considerable experience, commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and understanding of the importance of regional integration,” he said.

In his view, his experience in the ECOWAS Parliament had reinforced his conviction that regional integration must remain connected to the people of West Africa.

He said Ghana’s delegation had an important role to play in advancing the objectives of the ECOWAS Parliament and promoting greater regional integration, peace and prosperity.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also urged members of the Ghanaian delegation to continue contributing actively to the work of the Community Parliament, irrespective of changes in leadership.

Mr Afenyo-Markin assured that he would continue to work with his colleagues in the regional legislature and support efforts to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and regional integration.

The handover to Mr Ricketts-Hagan, he said, marks a continuation of Ghana’s participation in the Community Parliament, with the two lawmakers expected to work together in advancing Ghana’s interests within the regional parliamentary framework.
ECOWAS experience

Mr Afenyo-Markin joined Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament during the Second Ordinary Session held from November 18 to December 14, 2019.

He was subsequently sworn in as a full member of the Community Parliament during the First Extraordinary Session of the new legislature in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he also became Leader of Ghana’s delegation.

His leadership of the delegation continued until changes in Ghana’s parliamentary representation saw George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan become leader of the delegation.

In July 2025, Parliament approved a reconstituted Ghanaian delegation that replaced Mr Afenyo-Markin with then Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei. Mr Ricketts-Hagan subsequently led Ghana’s delegation.

Mr Afenyo-Markin was, however, reinstated as a member of Ghana’s delegation in June 2026 after Parliament reconstituted the delegation.

The official list included Mr Ricketts-Hagan as leader and Mr Afenyo-Markin among the members.

Despite handing over the leadership of Ghana’s delegation, Mr Afenyo-Markin remains Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and a member of Ghana’s delegation.

The Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament has a four-year tenure. The Bureau, including Mr Afenyo-Markin as Third Deputy Speaker, was elected in April 2024.