As part of the sub-regional integration process and to bring governance to the door steps of the People, Winneba will for the second time in September 2023 host the Extra Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.
According to leader of the Ghanaian delegation Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, they put a case across that it’s high time international conferences are hosted out of the capital as members do not get the opportunity to travel outside the capital city.
This, he noted is to
• bring governance to the door steps of the very people who we govern;
• create the opportunity for the region by putting it on the visibility map to create a positive opportunity for development.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin made this remark in Monrovia – Liberia at the end of a joint delocalized meeting, when he interacted with the media, an announcement that put a lot of smiles on the faces of almost everyone.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further pointed out that he has no doubt in his mind that International programmes create the opportunities for growth, development and tourism; and Winneba being the capital of one of the Municipalities in the Central Region is more than ready to welcome the ECOWAS delegation.
Again, taking the Session there with all the international participants will market the region, the Effutu Constituency, the city which is a coastal city for greater opportunities; adding that he will advice other colleagues in member states to push for this.
He asserts that when such initiatives come, government gets compelled to upgrade facilities and after the conference is over these facilities become the property of the people and for other use.
“I will advise my colleagues to take advantage and plan with their governments”.
“We cannot always over concentrate in the capital cities; we need to move out and spread opportunity to the people”, he said.
He further pointed out to journalists from member states in Liberia that this will not be the first of its kind, Winneba in 2021 successfully hosted a delocalised ECOWAS meeting and an Extra Ordinary Session, so a precedent has been set.
“We are optimistic that this will be better than before. The Ghanaian government will put in place the necessary protocols for all MPs, focal persons and staffs, security arrangements would be in place, Winneba, which is the capital of my constituency is just an hour drive from Accra on a good road.”
Members, he said are already used to that route; facilities would be there to host them, “and like 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.”
Source: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Liberia
