"ECOWAS @ 50 is not merely a ceremonial event but a strategic opportunity" – Foreign Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has underscored the significance of the upcoming ECOWAS @ 50 celebration, describing it not merely as a ceremonial event, but a “strategic opportunity” to redefine and reinvigorate regional integration across West Africa.

Addressing journalists on Thursday in Accra, the Minister announced that Ghana has been selected to host the official launch of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), scheduled for April 22, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

“This golden jubilee is more than a commemoration of time; it is a testament to the resilience, cooperation, and shared aspirations of West African nations,” Mr. Ablakwa said.

“The ECOWAS @ 50 Anniversary is a strategic opportunity to celebrate our achievements, strengthen solidarity, enhance public awareness, and advance inclusive dialogue on the future of regional integration.”

The high-level launch event is expected to be graced by the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, and several Heads of State and Foreign and Finance Ministers from across the region. Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, will serve as host for the historic occasion.

In addition to unveiling the anniversary logo and declaring the theme for the Jubilee Celebrations, the event will also mark the beginning of a year-long series of commemorative activities across ECOWAS member states.

It will be followed by an Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on April 22–23 to deliberate on pressing issues, including the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc.

Touching on the challenges facing ECOWAS, particularly the recent exit of the three Sahelian states who have now formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mr. Ablakwa said the regional body must respond with stronger diplomacy, enhanced security, and a renewed commitment to unity.

“The legacy of ECOWAS over the past five decades has been one of modest transformation, driving regional integration through harmonization of policy, cooperation, and infrastructure development,” he stated, citing achievements such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional peacekeeping interventions, and critical infrastructure projects like the West African Power Pool and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor.

The Minister emphasized that Ghana’s hosting of this event is both an honour and a responsibility.

“West Africa is looking up to Ghana, and Ghana is ready to lead this celebration with pride, purpose, and excellence,” he said.

He also announced the formation of a national Planning Committee, chaired by his office, to coordinate preparations and ensure a world-class event, with strong collaboration from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and the general public.

“Regional integration is not just about policies—it’s about people,” Ablakwa concluded. “As we mark 50 years of ECOWAS, let us recommit to a vision of shared prosperity, peace, and unity for all West Africans.”

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith