Third Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and member of Ghanaian delegation to the parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has urged parliamentarians to be closer to the citizens whose interest they are called to serve.

Speaking at the ongoing Second Extraordinary Session and Seminar in Accra, Ghana, the law maker in his official handover to George Kweku-Ricketts Hagan from Cape-Coast south, having completed his tenure at the parliament, held that regional integration must transcend treaties, protocols and meetings of institutions.

According to him, true value of regional integration must be felt in ECOWAS communities, in the opportunities available to young people, movement of businesses across borders and in the collective ability to respond to regional challenges as no one member state can successfully confront them.
Admitting that climate change can intensify existing pressures, worsen poverty, deepen competition over land and water as well as weaken livelihood, he however urged his colleagues to recognise the relationship between environment, stress and insecurity without reducing every conflict to climate change.

“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.

Afenyo-Markin, who took time to reel out his contributions to the development of the immediate constituent and the region in general, added that parliament’s resolve to hold activities outside traditional political centres is an important way of connecting with citizens.

He recalled the parliamentary seminar held in the oldest Congo Town in Liberia in 2019 before bringing its activities to Winneba, the capital of his constituency, in 2021, and noted that such initiative reflects the principle that the parliament should sometimes leave the familiar surroundings of their national capital to meet with the citizens where they live.

“Winneba subsequently hosted parliamentary activities on four occasions by 2024”, he said.

For the residents however, the Parliamentarian stressed that the visits provided opportunities to engage directly with regional institution, including traditional authorities, business community, young people and the University of Education, Winneba.
His words: “We must from time to time, leave the familiar surroundings of our national capital and meet our citizens where they live.”

According to him, the approach has since been extended to other locations, including Kano and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, both in Nigeria.
Transferring authority to Hagan, he expressed optimism that his successor will deliver on his responsibility.

“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.

The outgoing Deputy Speaker pledged his continued support to the parliament, adding that Ghana’s delegation will continue to contribute meaningfully to the works of ECOWAS Parliament.

“Leadership is ultimately about service and continuity”, he said.