ECOWAS Chair Akufo-Addo Urged To Tackle Challenges Of Regional Integration

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The President of the Economic Community of West African States, Jean Claude Kassi- Brou, has said the commission will support the newly elected Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, Nana Akufo-Addo in resolving the numerous challenges confronting the region.

He said this in Abuja during the working visit by the Chair ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, Nana Addo Akufo- Addo.

Akufo- Addo who is the President of Ghana had in Niamey, Niger, said he was focused on addressing challenges in the region including the issue of terrorism, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the Monetary Union.

He had also pledged to consolidate democratic processes in the region and accelerate the fight against Covid-19 pandemic which had crippled the region’s economy.

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Kassi- Brou said, “Be assured that the Heads of Institutions and their staff are available to work with you to address the challenges ahead.

” We are at your disposal to ensure the success of the mandate entrusted to you by your peers.

“We will spare no effort to pursue with determination, commitment and perseverance, the activities and missions you will entrust to us.”

The region has been forced with trade disputes particularly between Nigeria and Ghana, but the newly elected Chair during his acceptance speech disclosed that the main thrust of his tenure was to strengthen and accelerate integration.

The ECOWAS President said, “Today’s working visit, a clear sign of your commitment and determination to succeed, will afford you the opportunity to share with us your vision which is based on the following five pillars you indicated in Niamey.

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“These are the Fight against terrorism, Coronavirus pandemic; the African Continental Free Trade Area, Monetary Union; and consolidation of democracy.”

He noted that the different
institutions were working towards the fulfilment of the mission given to it by the decision-making bodies of the Community.

“We are continuing previous projects while we started new ones, given the immense need to address the different challenges confronting the region, ” the President said.

He said all programmes and projects by the institution are being implemented in line with the ECOWAS Vision 2020 and the African Union Agenda 2063.

He noted that the ECOWAS is also contributing towards the structural transformation of Member States in the context of inclusive and sustainable development.

Kassi-Brou said the Coronavirus pandemic has largely hampered the significant progress made by the various Member States.

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According to the ECOWAS President, the regional body welcomes the robust and proactive measures taken by all countries in the region to respond to the pandemic induced challenges.

He said, “In order to find Iong-lasting solutions to these challenges, discussions have been initiated and activities have been planned by the different departments, within the framework of the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which is currently being finalised.

“This vsion will significantly take into account the radical changes brought about by COVlD-19, to which ECOWAS countries will have to adapt very quickly.”

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