The 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will be formally launched in Accra, Ghana, today, April 22, 2025.
In Lagos, Nigeria, the West African Economic Bloc was established 50 years ago on May 28, 1975, and the celebrations begin today and last for the entire year.
At the launch, heads of state from participating nations are anticipated.
Vice President Mr. Muhammad B. S. Jallow of The Gambia is one of the early arrivals for the Summit.
According to the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government’s recommendation, celebrations will take place throughout the year in all of the Member States.
In a virtual meeting in February 2025, the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee approved the agenda of activities.
ECOWAS was first made up of 15 countries. Cabo Verde joined in 1977, and Mauritania left in 2000. In 2017, they signed an association agreement.
Disagreements caused Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to leave in January 2025.
Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo are among the current members.
With a regional gross domestic product of $734.8 billion, ECOWAS is a vital component of the African Economic Community, promoting coordinated economic cooperation in commerce, energy, transportation, and agriculture.
To improve strategic direction and leadership, the Secretariat changed its name to a Commission in 2007.
A president, vice president, five commissioners, and an auditor general make up the Commission’s leadership.
With the help of strategic programs and a 0.5% community levy on imports from non-member nations, ECOWAS promotes integration.
In order to achieve enduring peace and prosperity, it plans to transform from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples” by 2050.
Source: newsthemegh.com