Ghana will host the launch of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 50th anniversary celebrations on April 22, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event, organized by the Government of Ghana in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, marks a significant milestone in the history of regional integration in West Africa.
The launch, hosted by President John Dramani Mahama, kicks off a year-long celebration across member states, with various activities planned in Ghana and other ECOWAS countries. A key highlight of the event is an extraordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, scheduled for April 22-23, 2025. The meeting will discuss the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS and prepare a report for consideration by the Heads of State and Government.
Expected attendees include the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, and heads of state and government from member states. The Heads of State of the Alliance of the Sahelian States (AES) have also been invited as guests of the President.
ECOWAS, founded on May 28, 1975, has made significant strides in promoting economic integration, peace, and security in West Africa. Some notable achievements include the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme, and the West African Power Pool. The anniversary celebrations aim to chart a bold course for the next 50 years, focusing on deeper cooperation in areas like trade, human capital development, agriculture, health, and peace and security.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
