From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launched its 50th anniversary celebrations in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday, with President Bola Tinubu, represented by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, commending the bloc’s role in regional integration.
Speaking at the Accra International Conference Centre, Tinubu addressed heads of state and dignitaries, marking the start of year-long events across ECOWAS member states.
Tinubu stated, “Today, we celebrate numerous remarkable achievements that distinguish ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the African continent. In five decades, we have established one of Africa’s most vibrant free trade areas, fostering intra-regional commerce and lifting millions from poverty.”
He acknowledged challenges like political instability, poverty, and unemployment, noting, “Despite our shared vision, too many of our citizens still live in poverty, too many of our children lack access to quality education, and too many of our youth remain unemployed, disillusioned, or forced to seek opportunities abroad.”
He urged member states to reimagine ECOWAS as a “Community of People”, emphasising investment in education, innovation, and skills to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Ghana’s President John Mahama echoed this, calling ECOWAS a “living organisation that understands the hopes and aspirations” of its citizens and announcing 1,000 scholarships for ECOWAS university students.
The event featured the unveiling of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee logo, theme, and cultural performances celebrating the bloc’s history since its founding in Lagos in 1975.