The Extra Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, will be hosted in Winneba, in the Central Region, in September, this year, as part of the West African sub-regional integration of bringing governance to the doorsteps of the people.
This would be the second time Ghana would host the ECOWAS Parliament, which convenes twice a year.
The 2023 First Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament, opened on Monday, May 8, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria, and ended on Friday, May 26, 2023.
The session provides the President of the ECOWAS Commission to present a general report on the implementation of the Community Work Programme to the Plenary.
This allows the House to be updated on developments in the Community and followed by debates, expressed opinions and recommendations.
Further, national delegates also have the chance to present their country’s reports to inform the Body of unfolding developments in their respective member states and the status of implementation of their community’s texts.
Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the leader of the Ghanaian delegation, announced the impending session in Monrovia, Liberia, at the end of a joint delocalised meeting, when he interacted with the media.
He explained that the conference to be held in Ghana, being hosted outside Accra, the capital, would bring governance to the doorsteps of the people and put the region on the visibility map for development.
“This will also allow Member States not only to connect to build consensus towards ECOWAS development but also an opportunity to travel outside the capital city to familiarise themselves with neighbour countries,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, and a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament, told journalists that international programmes created opportunities for growth, development and tourism; and Winneba being the capital of one of the municipalities in the Central Region would welcome the ECOWAS delegation.
He said, “we cannot always over-concentrate in the capital cities, we need to move out and spread opportunity to the people.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin, whose is also the Effutu NPP Member of Parliament (MP), said the meeting will not be the first of its kind, particularly when Winnebain 2021 hosted a delocalised meeting and an Extra Ordinary Session.
He said “the Ghanaian government will put in place the necessary protocols for all MPs, focal persons and staff, security arrangements.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin said“as I did indicate, we hope to make it a pleasurable time, profitable time for all; we encourage all of you to come and take part in the programme.” —GNA
