Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 41 CHAPTER THREE: SETTING THE REGIONAL INTEGRATION AGENDA IN WEST AFRICA: THE ROLE OF GHANA'S ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES Boni Yao Gebe* ABSTRACT The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS,, has witnessed some major institutional transformation since its establishment in 1975. One of these transformational edifices is the Community Parliament which currently operates largely in an advisory and consultative capacity. The paper explores the representative role of Ghanaian parliamentarians in the Parliament and its credentials as a legislative body. The structure, functions and powers of the Parliament are thus scrutinized with a view of understanding the possible ways of addressing the institutional challenges vis-à-vis the role and contribution of the Ghanaian members of the Community Parliament. It argues that despite the limitations, Ghanaian representatives are positively affecting the processes of economic and political integration through the institutional and democratic channels at their disposal. Further to this, Ghana's own national interests in sub­regional integration can be attained and consolidated through concrete political leadership that disburses the appropriate economic and political capital. *Dr. Boni Yao Gebe is a Research fellow at Legon Centre for International Affairs, University of Ghana, Legon