By Omonu YG Nelson
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has emphasised the importance of regional integration and cooperation in achieving economic growth and political stability in the region.
“We must continue to work together to achieve our regional integration goals and ensure a peaceful and prosperous region for our citizens,” President Tinubu said in his opening speech at the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The summit, held on July 7, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together several Heads of State, including Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, and Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
President Tinubu welcomed the progress made in the first half of the year, including the positive economic outlook for ECOWAS in 2024, with economic growth expected to accelerate to 4.3%. However, he noted the global economic context and persistent inflationary pressures in the region, urging member states to implement economic and financial policies conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
The Authority also stressed the need for member states to regularly transmit their Multi-Year Convergence Programmes (MYCPs) to the Commission, with a deadline of October 31, 2024, for the period 2025-2029.
Goodwill messages were delivered by H.E. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
The summit reaffirmed the commitment of ECOWAS member states to regional integration and cooperation, ensuring a peaceful and prosperous region for all.
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