The President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, has paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency in Accra as part of a familiarisation visit to Ghana.
The meeting focused on regional integration, the growing threat of violent extremism and terrorism, intra-regional trade, security cooperation and preparations towards the 70th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government scheduled for next month.
The two leaders also discussed key regional integration projects, including the proposed Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway, and renewed efforts towards the introduction of the single regional currency, the Eco.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said President Mahama and General Diop acknowledged the increasing threat posed by terrorist activities and violent extremism in the West African sub-region.
He said the two leaders agreed on the need for well-coordinated regional responses to confront the security threats, which transcend national borders and require collective action among member states.
Mr Ablakwa said President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the founding vision of ECOWAS, established in 1975, and pledged to sustain dialogue aimed at rebuilding trust and strengthening relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
On regional monetary integration, President Mahama expressed Ghana’s readiness to host the proposed West African Central Bank and the West African Monetary Institute to provide the institutional support necessary for the introduction of the Eco.
The President also pledged that the government would make an allocation in the 2027 national budget towards the construction of Ghana’s portion of the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway project.
The proposed highway is a major regional infrastructure initiative expected to facilitate trade, improve connectivity and strengthen economic integration among countries along the West African coast.
For his part, General Birame Diop commended President Mahama for providing a platform for engagements with the Alliance of Sahel States, indicating his commitment to building on the existing diplomatic efforts.
He also praised Ghana for remaining up to date with its financial contributions to ECOWAS, recognising the country’s support for the regional organisation.
The visit underscores ongoing efforts by the ECOWAS Commission to strengthen engagement with member states and advance collective responses to the political, economic and security challenges confronting the West African sub-region.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
