Ghana will today host the official launch of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The event, which will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre, will be officiated by President John Dramani Mahama. It will feature the unveiling of the anniversary logo and the announcement of the theme for the celebration.
The announcement of Ghana as the host country was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a press conference held in Accra on Friday.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the launch will be immediately followed by an extraordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers from Tuesday, April 22, to Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The meeting will bring together all foreign and finance ministers from ECOWAS member states to deliberate on critical issues, including the recent withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from the bloc and the formation of the Alliance of Sahelian States by the three countries.
Mr. Ablakwa further indicated that a comprehensive report will be developed and presented for the consideration of the Heads of State at a subsequent summit.
Speaking at the press conference, the Minister emphasized that Ghana’s selection as host of the 50th anniversary is a recognition of its longstanding commitment to Pan-Africanism, African unity, and regional integration.
Reflecting on the legacy of ECOWAS, he noted that over the past five decades, the regional body has made modest yet meaningful progress through the pooling of resources to collectively address the challenges facing the sub-region, as well as the harmonization of policies to promote regional integration.
Despite these achievements, Mr. Ablakwa expressed concern over the political and security challenges that have led to the withdrawal of the three Sahelian countries, which he said have negatively impacted ECOWAS’s vision of building a cohesive and integrated 15-member regional economic bloc.
He, therefore, called on ECOWAS to strengthen its diplomatic efforts, bolster regional security, and remain steadfast in its mission to achieve a united and prosperous West Africa, even as it addresses the emergence of the Alliance of Sahelian States.
