The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has started the celebrations of its 50th anniversary with a launch ceremony in Accra, Ghana. The event took place on April 22, 2025, marking half a century since the regional bloc's formation.
H.E. Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed attendees and reiterated Ghana's commitment to the region's political and economic progress. He stated, “Fifty years on, ECOWAS has every reason to celebrate its evolvement from a modest economic cooperation framework into a dynamic, multifaceted regional community, championing not only economic integration but also peace, security and social development.”
ECOWAS Commission President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, spoke of the body's achievements in areas such as peacekeeping, trade liberalization, and infrastructure development. He mentioned projects like the Lagos–Abidjan and Abidjan–Praia corridors and acknowledged the impact of key milestones including the Free Movement Protocol and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme. Dr. Touray said, “Our objective is to celebrate, reflect and recalibrate our community.”
Ambassador (Mrs.) Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, representing Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the importance of regional unity and progress. She stated, “This moment calls for a renewed commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Member States,” highlighting Nigeria's ongoing commitment to regional democracy and solidarity.
Ghana's President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, stressed the need for ECOWAS to prioritize the concerns and aspirations of its citizens. He announced scholarships for 1,000 young people from ECOWAS countries to study in Ghana, promoting educational opportunities and regional leadership. President Mahama emphasized, “Community citizens must feel that ECOWAS is not just some bureaucracy but a living organisation that understands their hopes and aspirations.”
The 15 West African countries that founded ECOWAS on May 28, 1975, include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
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