Bagbin rejects Boamah’s request to quit Pan-African Parliament as Observer

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has refused a request from Okaikwei Central MP, Mr. Patrick Yaw Boamah, to be removed from Ghana’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).

Mr. Boamah, who was included in the reconstituted list as an observer, had written to the Speaker expressing his displeasure with the designation. In his letter, he questioned why he was not made a full member and referred to Parliament’s 68:32 formula for allocating slots between the Majority and Minority sides.

“Mr. Speaker, I respectfully write to formally withdraw from the reconstituted list of Ghana’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament as an Observer, as adopted by the House in a resolution on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025,” he stated.

The Okaikwei Central legislator explained that checks with the PAP Secretariat confirmed that observers cannot participate in plenary debates or committee meetings, limiting their ability to make any meaningful contribution. He argued that taking up the role could lead to embarrassment for both Parliament and the country.

Mr. Boamah also maintained that the Minority Caucus is entitled to two full-member slots, based on the formula used for committee and delegation allocations. He cited Ghana’s ECOWAS Parliament delegation, where the formula was respected, as an example of fair representation.

Currently, Ghana’s delegation to the PAP is led by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, with Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Collins Dauda, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh serving as full members. Mr. Boamah was the only MP listed as an observer.

In response, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged Mr. Boamah’s concerns but stressed that Parliament’s resolution approving the list remains binding unless it is formally amended.

“The composition of Ghana’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament was duly adopted by the plenary following established procedures. Once Parliament passes a resolution, it is binding, and any variation must come through a formal motion. Until such a motion is considered and adopted, the resolution remains in force,” Bagbin said.

Mr. Boamah’s withdrawal means the Minority Caucus now has only one representative in the five-member delegation — a development some NPP MPs have described as unfair and without precedent. Several Minority members have accused the Speaker of enabling the Majority to use its numerical advantage to bypass agreed procedures.

This is the first time in Ghana’s history that the Minority has only one full representative at the Pan-African Parliament.

The PAP, based in Midrand, South Africa, serves as the legislative arm of the African Union. Each member state nominates five MPs, with full members actively participating in debates, voting, and committee work, while observers are limited to attending sessions without contributing.