The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), held a Press Briefing at the Information Services Department on Thursday, 17th April, 2025, to give updates on the impending launch of the fiftieth (50) Anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The launch, which would kick start the celebrations lined up across the sub-region, being organised by the Government of Ghana in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, is scheduled to be held on 22nd April, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
In his address, the Minister mentioned that it was an honour and a significant moment in the history of Ghana, which has emerged as the cradle of Pan-Africanism, and the champion of regional integration, to be chosen by the regional bloc to host the launch of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the ECOWAS, which was founded on 28th May, 1975.
He stated that, the launch would be hosted by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, and is a precursor to the year-long celebration in the various Member States, with a host of activities outlined to take place in Ghana as well.
In addition to the launch, he revealed that the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of ECOWAS, which would be attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, would also run from 22nd to 23rd April, 2025. The meeting is expected to deliberate on the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger (the Alliance of the Sahelian States) from the ECOWAS and prepare a comprehensive report for the consideration of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States.
The event is expected to be attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance of Member States, Heads of Partner Organisations as well as the Heads of State of the Alliance of the Sahelian States (AES) who have been invited as guests of the President.
Recounting on the formation of the organisation, he mentioned that on 28th May 1975, visionary leaders from across West Africa came together to sign the Treaty of Lagos, giving birth to an ambitious project, creating a regional bloc that would promote economic integration and improve the lives of the people and laid the foundation of what is now a formidable force for progress, unity and peace on the African continent.
He further enumerated some of the achievements of the ECOWAS as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme, Free Movement of Goods and Persons, Residence and Establishment of citizens of Member States, the establishment of the EU-ECOWAS Scholarship Programmes, the West African Power Pool, and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor among others.
In the area of Peace and Security, he stated that the ECOWAS has been a pillar, intervening in crises and upholding democratic principles through peacekeeping missions and diplomatic efforts and alluded to the fact that the golden jubilee is not just a commemoration of time but rather a testament to the resilience, cooperation, and shared aspirations of West African States in pursuit of deeper cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, human capital development, agriculture, health, good governance, infrastructural development, and peace and security.
In conclusion, he encouraged the bloc to seize the opportunity to chart a bold and ambitious course for the next fifty (50) years, saying, “The ECOWAS @ 50 Anniversary is not merely a ceremonial event but rather, a strategic opportunity to ensure the seamless execution of this landmark celebration’’.
Present at the briefing were the Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Resident Representative of ECOWAS to Ghana, H. E. Mohammed Lawan Gana, Members of the Planning Committee, for the launch of the anniversary, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a cross-section of the media.