By Ghana Eye Report
Leaders within the West African subregion have begun arriving in Ghana to participate in the 50th anniversary launch of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is scheduled to start on April 22.
Eight heads of State within the subregion have confirmed their participation in the ECOWAS golden jubilee launch in the Ghanaian capital of Accra.
Among the leaders who have arrived so far are H.E. Mohammed B. S. Jallow, Vice President of Gambia, H.E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia, and H.E. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian President and Chairman of ECOWAS.
Others expected are the Benin President, H.E. Patrice Talon, the President of Guinea, H.E. Mamady Doumbouya, H.E Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau, H.E. Abdourahamane Tchian of Niger and H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe of Togo.
The ECOWAS 50th anniversary launch marks the start of year-long celebrations to commemorate the founding of the West African bloc some fifty years ago on May 28, 1975, after the signing of the Lagos Treaty.
The programme of activities for the celebration was validated by the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee during a virtual meeting in February 2025.
The event is being hosted by John Dramani Mahama, the Ghanaian President.
As part of the launch, ECOWAS will unveil its 50th anniversary logo and declare the official theme for the jubilee celebrations.
Originally, a 15-member body, Mauritania withdrew from ECOWAS in 2000, signing an association agreement in 2017.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger exited in January, 2025 to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) due to disagreements.
As a key pillar of the African Economic Community (AEC), ECOWAS works to foster unified economic cooperation in transport, energy, agriculture, and trade, boosting a regional gross domestic product of 734.8 billion U. S. dollars.
In 2007, the ECOWAS Secretariat transitioned to a Commission to strengthen its leadership and strategic direction.
The ECOWAS Commission is led by a President, a Vice President, five Commissioners, and an Auditor-General.
Primarily funded by a 0.5 percent community tax on imports from non-member countries, ECOWAS seeks to drive integration through strategic partnerships.
It envisions a 2050 transition from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples,” aiming for lasting peace and prosperity. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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