President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says though the Coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster, and rendered mankind powerless, “we must embrace fully the lessons it teaches us, as well as the direction it is pointing us.”
During a virtual address at the 58th ECOWAS Ordinary Session, the President, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, reminded other African leaders that the virus has given them a good sense of how important it is for them to strengthen their unity and solidarity.
“It has provided us with the avenue to be self-reliant, and it is a clarion call for us to remain faithful to the main objective of ECOWAS, which is to promote cooperation and integration for the well-being of our citizens,” he said.
The President noted that the year 2020 was a very difficult one since the pandemic had devastating effects on almost all sectors of the world economy, including social, economic, humanitarian, financial and security life.
“It continues to be even more devastating, particularly with the onset of the ‘second wave’, and the outbreak of a new variant of the virus in most parts of the world. Its negative impact has heightened and worsened the exogenous shocks affecting our region. The pandemic has brought in its wake unprecedented levels of difficulties for us all,” he said.
Re-elected leaders
The President said the leaders should have held the summit in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, but had been compelled by the exigencies of the times to converge virtually.
He congratulated other African leaders who had been re-elected for another term in office in other elections that took place in the ECOWAS sub-region last year just like himself.
“I wish each of us a fruitful term of office in the execution of the high duties of our respective mandates. Through these elections, we continue to reinforce the democratic credentials of the region, which bodes well for our future,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He also empathised with other ECOWAS countries like Mali, Niger and Ghana who all lost former Presidents and former Prime Ministers.
“I want us to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the memory of the late Presidents, their Excellencies Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana, Moussa Traoré and Amadou Toumani Touré of Mali, and Mamadou Tandja of Niger, and of the former Prime Ministers, their Excellencies Soumaila Cissé and Modibo Keita of Mali. May their souls rest in perfect peace. Amen!!” he said.
Terrorist attacks
President Akufo-Addo said despite the gains made in regional integration, particularly in the area of consolidating democracy, ECOWAS continues to face critical security challenges, with deadly terrorist attacks in Mali, northeastern Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
“I reaffirm our strongest condemnation of these attacks in our Region and Community, and deplore the activities of these criminal, terrorist groups. We sympathise and extend our deep condolences to affected countries and the families of the victims.
“These developments must reinforce our conviction that we must pursue, even more vigorously, the actions we have begun, with the rapid implementation of the decisions of our Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism, held on 14th September 2019. This concerted effort, which must be a major priority objective of the Community, is the best way for us to address collectively the security challenge, and give ourselves the means to ensure the security of the populations of our Community. Our dignity and our sovereignty are at stake,” he added.
ECOWAS Regional Security Fund
He reminded member states of their pledge to contribute to the US$1 billion ECOWAS Regional Security Fund (ERSF), created in support of the 2020-2024 Anti-Terrorism Action Plan.
“I thank all Member States that are making significant efforts to support our initiatives, in this regard, especially those that have begun to pay their financial contribution to the one billion United States dollar (US$1 billion) ECOWAS Regional Security Fund (ERSF), created in support of the 2020-2024 Anti-Terrorism Action Plan.
“Raising this money has to be a high priority for us, because it enables us to act independently in this crisis. Your Excellencies will recall that the 2019 Summit created the Fund to cover a five year period, 2020-2024. The UEMOA countries committed to contribute US$500 million, whilst the Federal Republic of Nigeria also pledged US$350 million; leaving a balance of US$150 million for the six remaining countries and other sources,” he disclosed.
President Akufo-Addo further revealed that out of the $500 million pledged by the UEMOA countries, $100 million had been disbursed directly to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to assist them in their anti-terrorism activities.
Ghana, President Akufo-Addo disclosed, has decided to pledge $50 million over the five-year period, of which $10 million is destined for the fund, and $40 million for the domestic empowerment of its border security against potential terrorist incursions.
He again urged his colleague African leaders to remain focused on the implementation of programmes and projects in all areas to ensure the well-being of their peoples.
“We can best attain this objective by strengthening our regional integration. Thus, the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which began trading on 1st January, presents us with additional opportunities to reach our objective. The AfCFTA, as we all know, is, arguably, the most important initiative launched by the African Union. We all have a duty to ensure its success,” he said.
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