Ghana Invites Sahel Leaders to ECOWAS 50th Anniversary Launch in Bid for Regional Unity
By Kebba AF Touray
Diplomatic Gesture Aims to Mend Regional Rifts
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has formally invited the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to attend the official launch of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 50th anniversary celebrations. This strategic diplomatic move seeks to address growing divisions within the regional bloc.
Reconciliation Through Celebration
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the invitation on Thursday, framing it as a crucial step toward regional reconciliation. The landmark event, scheduled for April 22 at the Accra International Conference Centre, will kick off year-long commemorations of ECOWAS’s founding on May 28, 1975.
“This is about building bridges,” Ablakwa stated during a press briefing. “ECOWAS must continue to pursue collaboration, not confrontation, especially at this critical juncture in our history.”
Addressing the Sahel Withdrawal
The invitation comes after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – collectively known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – formally withdrew from ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, following months of escalating tensions. Their departure marked a significant challenge to the regional organization’s authority.
High-Profile Attendance Expected
The anniversary launch will feature President Mahama as host, with ECOWAS Chairman and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu among the distinguished attendees. The event will include the unveiling of a special commemorative logo and the official theme for the jubilee celebrations.
Beyond Ceremony: Critical Ministerial Meetings
Alongside the celebratory events, Ghana will host an Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on April 22-23. Foreign and finance ministers will address pressing regional issues, including the AES withdrawal, with their recommendations going before ECOWAS heads of state.
“While the withdrawal presents a challenge to our cohesion, ECOWAS must respond with enhanced diplomacy and commitment to a united West Africa,” Ablakwa emphasized.
Celebrating Five Decades of Progress
The minister highlighted ECOWAS’s achievements over 50 years, including economic integration initiatives, infrastructure development, and peacekeeping efforts. Key programs like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and West African Power Pool demonstrate the bloc’s tangible impact.
“More than infrastructure, it’s about people,” Ablakwa noted. “The entrepreneur in Accra and Abidjan, the student in Lagos and Dakar, the peacekeeper in Banjul and Bissau.”
Looking to the Future
A national Planning Committee, led by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, is coordinating preparations with the ECOWAS Commission. While the bloc funds most expenses, Ghana is providing comprehensive logistical and security support.
“This Jubilee is not just a commemoration – it’s 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.”