The Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and member of the Ghanaian delegation, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called on parliamentarians to remain closer to the citizens whose interests they represent and serve.
Afenyo-Markin made the call in Accra, Ghana, while speaking at the ongoing Second Extraordinary Session and Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament, during his official handover to George Kweku-Ricketts Hagan, who represents Cape Coast South, following the completion of his tenure at the regional legislature.
He said regional integration must go beyond treaties, protocols and meetings of institutions, stressing that its benefits should be felt directly by citizens across the ECOWAS region.
According to him, the true value of regional integration should be reflected in opportunities for young people, the free movement of citizens and businesses across borders, as well as the collective capacity of member states to respond to regional challenges.
“Regional integration must be understood beyond treaties, protocols and meetings of institutions. Its true value must be felt in our communities, in the opportunities available to our young people, in the movement of our citizens and businesses across borders,” he said.
The lawmaker also addressed the link between environmental pressures and insecurity, noting that climate change could intensify existing challenges by worsening poverty, increasing competition over land and water resources and weakening livelihoods.
He, however, cautioned against attributing every conflict to climate change, urging parliamentarians to recognise the relationship between environmental stress and insecurity without oversimplifying the causes of conflicts in the region.
Afenyo-Markin said the decision by the ECOWAS Parliament to hold activities outside traditional political centres was an important way of strengthening its connection with citizens.
He recalled the parliamentary seminar held in Congo Town, Liberia, in 2019, before the Parliament took its activities to Winneba, the capital of his constituency, in 2021.
He said the initiative demonstrated the importance of leaving the familiar surroundings of national capitals to engage citizens in the communities where they live.
“Winneba subsequently hosted parliamentary activities on four occasions by 2024,” he said.
According to him, the visits provided opportunities for direct engagement with traditional authorities, the business community, young people and the University of Education, Winneba, thereby strengthening citizens’ interaction with the regional institution.
“We must from time to time, leave the familiar surroundings of our national capital and meet our citizens where they live,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He noted that the approach had subsequently been extended to other locations, including Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria.
While handing over to Hagan, the outgoing Third Deputy Speaker expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to effectively discharge the responsibilities of the office.
“He is a worthy member of Parliament, who I believe will succeed me in this responsibility. He is bringing his experience in parliamentary diplomacy and an understanding of regional integration to the role,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin pledged his continued support to the ECOWAS Parliament and expressed confidence that Ghana’s delegation would continue to contribute meaningfully to the work of the regional legislature.
“Leadership is ultimately about service and continuity,” he said.
