Ten members of the inaugural Council of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) were sworn in on October 1, 2024, in Banjul. The ceremony was led by Honorable Judge Gbéri-Bè Ouattara, Vice-President of the Community Court of Justice, with H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the Commission, in attendance.
The creation of this Council marks a significant step in making ERCA operational for its activities in the regional market. Judge Gbéri-Bè Ouattara congratulated and advised the new council members as they took their oath to uphold loyalty to ECOWAS, integrity, discretion, and impartiality during their four-year term.
H.E. Omar Alieu Touray expressed satisfaction with the board's quality and emphasized reliance on their commitment to serve the community effectively. He highlighted that forming ARCC’s decision-making body supports fair competition and promotes intra-regional trade and integration within West Africa. He also assured continued support from ECOWAS Commission management for the Council's duties and programs.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, President Touray visited ERCA headquarters with Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse and other ARCC Council members. Dr. Simeon Koffi presented issues and achievements faced by ERCA to President Touray, who commended staff commitment and pledged support for resource improvement.
The event was attended by notable figures including representatives from Gambian government agencies, ECOWAS officials such as Ambassador Miatta Lily French and Dr. Siméon Koffi, as well as civil society representatives.
ARCC serves as ECOWAS's authority on competition and consumer protection since June 2019. It consists of an executive body alongside a decision-making council responsible for addressing EU competition rule breaches investigations led by its Executive Director.
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