Gambiaj.com – (Accra, Ghana) – The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has urged West Africans to acknowledge and celebrate the regional bloc’s 50 years of achievements, despite mounting criticism and political headwinds.

Speaking in Accra on Tuesday during the official launch of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Dr. Touray delivered a robust defense of the bloc’s legacy in economic integration, peacekeeping, and human development.

“In the current context, many would be forgiven for asking if there is anything about ECOWAS that should be celebrated,” he said. “Our response to such citizens is an emphatic yes—and I have my reasons.”

He described ECOWAS as “the most integrated regional bloc on the African continent,” citing the Free Movement Protocol that allows citizens of member states to travel, live, and work across borders visa-free.

“Thank God, no ECOWAS member state is among the countries that require Mr. Dangote to hassle,” Dr. Touray quipped, referencing Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s recent frustration with intra-African travel restrictions.

Progress in Trade and Infrastructure

Highlighting economic milestones, Dr. Touray pointed to the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), which has facilitated duty-free trade for more than 15,000 registered companies and over 50,000 products across member states.

He also cited the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), now operational in seven countries, as a game-changing innovation that has streamlined customs processes and improved logistics across borders.

Infrastructure development remains a central focus for ECOWAS. Dr. Touray unveiled a 25-year regional master plan comprising 201 major projects across transport, energy, telecommunications, and water. Valued at $131 billion, these initiatives are poised to transform connectivity and integration in the region.

Among them is the nearly $15 billion, 1,028-kilometer Lagos–Abidjan highway project, which is now investment-ready. Other flagship corridors include the Banjul–Dakar–Abidjan highway, the Abidjan–Praia maritime route, and regional energy connectivity through the West African Power Pool.

He further referenced ECOWAS’s $340 million off-grid electricity program aimed at expanding energy access, especially in rural communities.

Investing in People and Public Health

Dr. Touray also lauded the West African Health Organization (WAHO) for its pivotal role in coordinating regional responses to public health emergencies, including Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox.

Beyond health, he highlighted programs focused on climate-smart agriculture, food security, and vocational training, all designed to advance human-centered development in West Africa.

“ECOWAS’s investment in people is the foundation of its vision,” he said.

A Record of Peace and Security

Recounting the bloc’s legacy in peacebuilding and democratic governance, Dr. Touray cited interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia as critical moments where ECOWAS acted to safeguard stability.

“It was ECOWAS that ensured the will of the people of The Gambia prevailed in 2016,” he noted, referencing the bloc’s decisive diplomatic and military action following former President Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to accept electoral defeat.

On maritime security, Dr. Touray reported a significant success — not a single act of piracy has been recorded in West African waters so far in 2024. He attributed this to improved coordination and maritime surveillance through the bloc’s security frameworks.

Calls for Reform and Unity 50 Years On

Despite the notable achievements, Dr. Touray acknowledged that challenges remain. Intra-regional trade continues to hover around just 12% of total trade — a figure he said must improve through urgent reforms to remove non-tariff barriers, upgrade infrastructure, and enhance productivity.

He appealed to investors — both regional and international — to take advantage of West Africa’s growing market of over 400 million people and its emerging investment opportunities in sectors such as energy, logistics, and manufacturing.

Amid escalating security threats and the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, Dr. Touray underscored the importance of unity and dialogue.

“Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic that we will collectively preserve and build on the gains of regional integration — for our people who are united by blood,” he said.

Founded in 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos, ECOWAS was established to promote economic integration, regional cooperation, and development across West Africa. Over five decades, the bloc has grown into a formidable force for diplomacy, trade facilitation, and peacekeeping.

However, its cohesion has recently been tested by political instability in some member states, a wave of military coups in the Sahel, and growing skepticism about its ability to enforce democratic norms.

Yet, for Dr. Touray, the vision of ECOWAS remains alive.

“This 50th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past,” he said, “but a renewed commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and united West Africa.”

ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebrations kicked off this Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, in the presence of heads of state and leaders from member countries.

The Golden Jubilee will be marked by a series of events, including the official unveiling of the ECOWAS 50th anniversary logo and theme. Artistic and cultural performances will also be held, tracing the organization’s journey from its founding in Lagos to its major milestones and achievements across the region.