President John Dramani Mahama has invited the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to the official launch of the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, which will take place on April 22, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
At a press briefing on Thursday, April 17, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, explained that the invitation extended to the Sahelian leaders is a diplomatic effort to rebuild bridges and foster regional collaboration amidst growing divisions in West Africa.
The event will be attended by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, heads of member states, and representatives from partner organizations.
Hosted by President Mahama, the event will also feature the unveiling of the official ECOWAS@50 logo and the declaration of a theme to guide the year-long celebrations across the region.
Following the anniversary launch, Ghana will host an Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on April 22 and 23. During this meeting, ministers of foreign affairs and finance will deliberate on critical regional issues, particularly the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS and their subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Minister Ablakwa highlighted the need for renewed diplomatic efforts in response to the exit of the AES nations. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the departure but emphasized that ECOWAS must react with enhanced diplomacy and unwavering commitment to the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa.
“We must respond with enhanced diplomacy and unwavering commitment to the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa,” he stated.
He also celebrated ECOWAS’s achievements over the past 50 years, citing significant initiatives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the Brown Card Insurance Scheme, and infrastructure projects such as the West African Power Pool and the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor.
“It is not just about treaties and agreements,” Ablakwa remarked. “It is about the entrepreneur in Accra and Abidjan, the student in Lagos and Dakar, the peacekeeper in Banjul and Bissau — it is about people.”
A national planning committee, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is coordinating the celebration with the ECOWAS Commission and key partners. While ECOWAS will cover most of the costs, Ghana will provide full logistical and security support.
“This Jubilee is not just a commemoration — it is a call to action,” Ablakwa concluded. “We must use this occasion to rekindle hope in the ECOWAS vision and chart a bold course for the next 50 years.”
