Accra: Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, on Wednesday, called on the government to submit the recent agreement between Ghana and the United States regarding the acceptance of deported persons for parliamentary approval. At a Leaders' Media Briefing at the Parliament House, Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasized that such agreements were constitutionally required to go through Parliament under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Leaders' Media Briefing serves as a periodic engagement between the Leadership of the House and the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) at the beginning of every Meeting of Parliament. This platform outlines the framework of the Meeting and facilitates interaction between the Leaders, the Media Relations Department of Parliament, and the PPC.
Mr Afenyo-Markin highlighted that agreements of significant magnitude should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution. He further insisted that the arrangement be brought before Parliament for ratification to ensure democratic accountability. As a Member of Parliament for Efutu from the New Patriotic Party, he warned that bypassing parliamentary approval on international agreements could undermine Ghana's sovereignty in global affairs.
He added that Ghana's foreign policy must be transparent and should not compromise the nation's sovereignty for expediency. Mr Afenyo-Markin urged the government to prioritize Ghana's dignity and ensure that international agreements reflect the values and gain the confidence of the Ghanaian people.
Furthermore, Mr Afenyo-Markin acknowledged Ghana's progress as a result of visionary leadership and the resilience of its people. He called on the government to uphold transparency and constitutionalism in its dealings with international partners, reiterating that Ghana's story is one of triumphs achieved through visionary leadership and the indomitable spirit of its people.
