ECOWAS parliament seeks reforms to address regional crises

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, on Tuesday, called for swift reforms within the Economic Community of West African States to tackle the mounting crises facing the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Third Extra-Ordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar in Lome, Togo, Ibrahima stressed the need for immediate action to address issues such as floods, terrorism, violent extremism, and irregular migration.

“Our region is ravaged by floods, terrorism, violent extremism and irregular migration that have affected thousands of our citizens.

“ECOWAS of 50 years must speed up reforms to consolidate the principles of democracy and good governance to drive the vision of the founding fathers,” the speaker stated.

The session will focus on budgetary provisions for the 2025-2027 fiscal years, aimed at creating a financial roadmap to address the region’s growing challenges.

The Parliament will also review the implementation of the 2023 budget and assess the mid-term budget for 2024 to ensure alignment with the region’s development goals.

Ibrahima praised Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbe, for his unwavering support of regional integration and women’s empowerment, noting that her historic appointment as the first female Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament was a testament to his promotion of women in leadership.

As part of the session, the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association will host a symposium on “Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion” to enhance economic opportunities for women across the region.

The President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Dr. George Donkor, also addressed the session, calling for stronger infrastructure investment and regional cooperation to boost the competitiveness of West African economies.

He emphasised the need for equitable distribution of economic opportunities to ensure the bloc’s vision benefits all citizens.

Togo’s Minister of Human Rights, Barrister Pacome Yawovi Missiame Amenyo Adjourouvi, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the erosion of human rights in the region due to repressive governance.

He stressed that protecting human rights and implementing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights would pave the way for peace and development.

The session was officially declared open by the Speaker of the Togolese National Assembly, Sevon-Tepe Kodjo Adedze, who reaffirmed the region’s commitment to development, emphasising that the ECOWAS Vision 2050 must prioritise social inclusion, peace, and economic prosperity.