Accra, Ghana – As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks its 50th anniversary, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Member of Parliament for Ho West and representative in the ECOWAS Parliament, has issued a stirring call for reform, warning that the regional bloc stands at a critical crossroads.
Delivering a statement in Parliament, Hon. Bedzrah emphasized that while the golden jubilee should be a moment of celebration, it must also serve as a sobering opportunity for deep reflection and decisive action.
“We are not merely celebrating a milestone; we are compelled to engage in a profound and unflinching reflection on the trajectory of our journey,” he stated.
Hon. Bedzrah acknowledged ECOWAS’ historical achievements in regional integration, peacekeeping, trade liberalization, and social development. He cited interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia as notable examples of the bloc’s capacity to restore constitutional order and promote stability.
However, he warned that these accomplishments are now threatened by severe setbacks. The recent withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS, set to take effect by July 2025, was described as a signal of growing disunity and disenchantment within the bloc.
“West Africa’s regional bloc faces disintegration. The very notion of a united, peaceful, and integrated West Africa now appears under siege,” Hon. Bedzrah declared.
The MP outlined a series of challenges undermining ECOWAS’ effectiveness, including terrorism, organized crime, maritime insecurity, and the erosion of trust in public institutions. He attributed part of the blame to the limited capacity and sometimes weak political will of national and regional parliaments, which he said have failed to adequately hold executive arms accountable.
Hon. Bedzrah stressed the urgent need for the ECOWAS Parliament to play a more assertive legislative role, echoing sentiments raised during a recent High-Level Convening in Abuja themed: “ECOWAS at 50 – Reform or Disintegrate: Which Pathway for the Regional Bloc?”
“We, the parliamentarians of ECOWAS, must rise to this occasion not merely as political actors, but as the stewards of the region. Our people look to us not only for laws but for hope. Not only for policies, but for progress.”
He concluded by urging the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament to refer his statement to the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Foreign Affairs for deliberation and for recommendations to be presented to the ECOWAS Commission.
Hon. Bedzrah’s passionate plea serves as both a wake-up call and a rallying cry as West Africa stands at a historic juncture—urging leaders to choose reform, recommit to unity, and secure a more resilient and prosperous future for the region.
Source: Clement Akoloh||Parliamentary Network Africa
