News:
December 10, 2025
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Rt. Hon Memounatou Ibrahima has expressed worry over the attitude of Members of Parliament not showing up as the sub-regional parliament is struggling to form quorum for proceedings.
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:29am when officials from the Commission were in the House to present the 2026 budget, the required quorum was not met.
“You remember some of you have asked that we meet for one month; if you are not able to stick to two weeks, how can we extend it to one month? So, this is a very important comment; we represent the community we need to show good example, and be role models”.
This came to light when leader of the Senegal delegation Guy Marius Sagna raised the issue of quorum, obviously not happy that there was only one Nigerian lawmaker out of the thirty-five members they had, and was not fair when ticket is gotten for MPs to be in Parliament.
The Rt. Hon Speaker came in and supported the issue raised by leader of the Senegalese delegation, stating that “the issue is very relevant as we oversight what our governments are doing in our various countries. Here we also have oversight of what the commission is doing.”
“If we can do that in our home country, why can’t we do that in parliament of the community? We need to encourage one another and take control of things” she stated.
Leader of the Cape Verde Dr Olando on his part noted that he agrees with his colleague from Senegal on attendance by MPs and again believes the parliament’s speakers need to show a good example as only two members of the bureau Rt. Hon. Speaker and the fourth deputy speaker are in when they are five.
“If you yourselves are not complete, how would you require that from the MPs? It needs to start with the bureau”.
Rt. Hon Ibrahima agreed with his position saying, “we have to show example; you have to look at this, we need to think and see what to do.” She wondered what colleagues reactions would be when strict decisions are taken.
She urged the MPs who appear, register and disappear to desist from the practice as it does not help the House, she emphasised.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com