"Crisis Between Ukraine/Russia Has Had A Significant Impact On Global Inflation" - ECOWAS Prez

President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Jean-Claude Kassi Brou says the crisis between Ukraine and Russia has had a significant impact on global inflation.

According to him, it has also had an impact on the supply of basic commodities to the people and their economies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Eighty-Eight Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Accra on Thursday, he said "Internationally, the crisis between Ukraine and Russia has had a significant impact on global inflation and the supply of basic commodities to our people and our economies"

He reminded the Ministers that during the two-day meeting, they will consider the reports presented to them on the management of its institutions and the activities of the various departments of the Commission.

"This session of the Council of Ministers is being held in a context still marked by the COVID-19 health crisis, although it is less worrisome than in the recent past"

"Above all, today's meeting is characterised by the lingering security crisis in the frontline countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria) and in several coastal countries."

"These different crises, compounded by the devastating consequences of climate change, have resulted in a difficult humanitarian situation"

"In particular, you will discuss the report on the state of the Community, the report of the Administration and Finance Committee, and the financial situation of the Community as at the end of May 2022"

He hinted that the Auditor General will also present a report on his activities for the year 2021, which will be followed by the report of the 47th Audit Committee.

At the operational level, he stressed that different reports will be submitted to the Ministers for decision and information.

"Similarly, the conclusions of the work of several sectoral ministerial meetings and various reports will be submitted to you for endorsement"

He noted that in a closed-door session, the Ministers will consider the report of the Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee for the Selection and Evaluation of the Performance of Statutory Appointees of the Community for the 2022 - 2026 period"

"As you can see, the agenda for this session is very loaded, but we have no doubt that you will carefully examine all the matters before you"

"Throughout our tenure, we have made every effort to meet the expectations of ECOWAS leaders and people. As with any human endeavor, much has been achieved but much more remains to be done to actualise the ECOWAS Vision 2050, with the mantra: "ECOWAS of the Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All". I am confident that our region will once again show resilience and our economies will make a strong recovery for the benefit of our people"

On her part, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey called on members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to come together and help eradicate terrorism in Africa.

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey said "We need to committ to mobilise the requisite resources to support the implementation of the ECOWAS 2020-2024 action to eradicate terrorism in the region"

She reminded the house that African countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria are tye current hot zones to recurrent terrorist attacks and violent extremesms.

Madam Botchwey, on insecurities in neighboring countries, cited Benin and Ghana as the red zones.

"These attacks poses socio-political, security and humanitarian challenges and hamper the commissions effort to improve the living standards of its members  hence my appeal for members to mobilise more resources"

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith