Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 45 The paper is premised on the argument that Ghanaian parliamentarians are affecting the processes of economic and political integration in West Africa through the institutional and democratic channels and resources at their disposal. This can be further consolidated if the country is willing to provide concrete leadership by disbursing the appropriate economic and political capital. The Ghanaian Parliament and West African Integration The centrality and significance of the Parliament of Ghana in the conduct of international relations and foreign policy can be looked at from a variety of ways, but principally in the areas of legislative and deliberative or inquiry powers or functions. 61 The 1992 Republican Constitution provides under Chapter 10, Article 93(1) that there shall be a Parliament of Ghana which shall consist of a minimum of 140 representatives. The number has increased steadily from what was originally stipulated to 230 in 2004. Article 93(2) further states that“subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the legislative power of Ghana shall be vested in Parliament and shall be exercised in accordance with the Constitution.” The power of parliament as the peoples' representatives to make laws is exercised through the bills that are passed on the floor of the House and assented to by the President of Ghana. These laws are in two categories: domestic laws which are binding on the country and her people and international treaties which need to be ratified by parliament before they become binding in Ghana. In furtherance of the powers of parliament in their deliberative and legislative functions and roles, Article 103(1) provides that“Parliament shall appoint Standing Committees and other Committees as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions.” And the Constituion further states under 103(3) that“the Committees of Parliament shall be charged with such functions, including the investigation and inquiry into the activities and administration of ministries and departments as Parliament may determine; and such investigations and inquiries may extend to proposals for legislation.” It is in this capacity that there has been established a Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. This constitutional provision has empowered the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs since 1993 to inquire and investigate complex proposals on foreign policy outside the House of Parliament. 62 While it is true that the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs is at the apex of parliamentary hearings and dealings on foreign relations, there are other 61 Boni Yao Gebe,“Protecting the National Interest: The Parliament of Ghana and Foreign Economic Assistance.” Institute of Democratic Governance(IDEG), Policy Research Series, No. 1, 2008, p. 8; See also K. B. Ayensu and S. N. Darkwa, How our Parliament Functions: An Introduction to the Law, Practice and Procedure of the Parliament of Ghana.(Accra: Super Print, Ltd., 2000), p. 23. 62 Paul O. Asimeku,“The Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Ghana's Foreign Policy: 1992­2004.” MA Dissertation, Legon Centre for International Affairs, LECIA), University of Ghana, Legon, August 2005, p. 2.