ECOWAS Parliament Returns To Winneba

Speaker of Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has disclosed that Winneba, in the Central Region of Ghana would be the venue for the Extraordinary Meeting of that Parliament to be held at the end of September this year.

Dr. Tunis made this known during his speech at an executive dinner put together by the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin in honour of the Members of the ECOWAS Parliament and its staff who were in his constituency for a 5-day Delocalised Meeting.

The Speaker made known that he and his team were exceptionally impressed with the success of the Delocalised meeting, the hospitality of the people in Winneba and the calmness and peace of the place and have therefore agreed to return in September and stay for some two weeks.

“I have already communicated with His Excellency the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, about our meeting here in September and he has given his full approval and support. So Winneba, be ready for us in September. We are going to be here” Dr. Tunis noted.

He continued: “I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the leader of the delegation of the Ghanaian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, (Alexander Afenyo-Markin) and our colleagues from Ghana in the ECOWAS Parliament. They have been so helpful and everything has been easy for us as a Parliament because of their support. And probably, because of the support they are giving the ECOWAS Parliament, it has gingered our determination to ensure we would be back in September.

“In September we are not just coming to work, work and work. We are also coming to enjoy the hospitality of the people of Winneba. We are coming to mingle with the people of Winneba”, Dr. Tunis added.

He said the ECOWAS Parliament was very happy to be in Winneba and described the Delocalised Meeting as a very productive.

“The last few days in Ghana have been very productive to us as a Parliament and the icing on the cake being our visit itself in Winneba. For some reason I am so excited about this place. The atmosphere is so calm, the people are so friendly that, my colleague, the Honourable Deputy Speaker has approved that the ECOWAS Parliament should be here again in September.

“I was at the University this afternoon and they have a huge auditorium that probable with the support of the faculty, would be given to the ECOWAS Parliament for its purpose. My people in Winneba, I want to thank you. I want t thank you very much for the support you have given us.

“We have been here for five days but in September we are going to be here for two weeks so there is a whole lot we want to learn about Winneba”, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis noted.

The MP for the area, Alex Afeny-Markin, on his part thanked Mr. Speaker and the Members of the ECOWAS Parliament for having the meeting in his constituency and agreeing to have an even bigger one there in September.

Afenyo-Markin noted: “We have what it takes to welcome you and make you a part of us. Accommodation and social amenities is not a problem. The peace of the community is what you would cherish. You do not need to worry about security.

“And I am sure you would enjoy our beaches. So staff of the ECOWAS Parliament and the Members of Parliament, you are always welcome.”

The ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, received an outstanding traditional accolade from the Neenyi Ghartey VII President of the Effutu Traditional Council.

The honour was done Dr. Tunis when he paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of Neenyi Ghartey VII to thank him for the extraordinary hospitality given him and his delegation while in Winneba.

Neenyi Ghartey VII, presented two carvings to the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament; a seat symbolising that the Speaker and his delegation have a place in Winneba at any time and a carving of a mother carrying her child on her back and a pot on her head, which symbolises the invitation extended to the speaker to support the fight against teenage pregnancy and uplift women and girls in Winneba.

He noted that teenage pregnancy is a major social challenge in that region and called on the ECOWAS Parliament to aid in their fight against it. The President also decorated the Honorable Speaker with a traditional scarf and an African clothe as an expression of revered honor.

Speaker Tunis concluded by assuring the traditional council of the continuous collaboration and support from the ECOWAS Parliament, adding that the Parliament work closely with local authorities to in areas of women development, youth employment and social advancement.