The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commemorated its 50th anniversary with a renewed call for unity among member states.
At a ceremony in Monrovia, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Liberia, Madam Josephine Nkrumah, urged Liberians and fellow West Africans to reflect on the founding fathers’ vision of a unified and prosperous region.
“Their dream of a unified, prosperous West Africa laid the foundation for the regional strength we celebrate today,” said Madam Nkrumah.
Held under the theme “Stronger Together for a Better Future,” the celebration drew high-level dignitaries, including Liberia’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Counselor D.Y. Green, members of the Cabinet, representatives of the diplomatic corps, ECOWAS institutions, and development partners.
In her remarks, Madam Nkrumah emphasized Liberia’s central role in the establishment of ECOWAS. She recalled Liberia’s early contributions, from the 1959 Sanniquellie Conference to President William V.S. Tubman’s 1964 call for a regional economic union, which eventually led to ECOWAS’s formation in 1975 by 16-member states.
Throughout the ceremony, Liberia’s continued contributions to peacebuilding, regional integration, and democratic governance were acknowledged and applauded.
Madam Nkrumah also highlighted ECOWAS’s transformative impact in Liberia through projects spanning healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and digital transformation. These include renovation and construction of medical facilities in border communities, electrification efforts in collaboration with the West African Power Pool, support for women-led renewable energy ventures, provision of vaccines, ventilators, and medical supplies during the Ebola and COVID-19 crises, development of a rehabilitation center in Old Clay County to address drug dependency and ital surgeries and reintegration programs for women
She also spotlighted key infrastructure projects like the Kavala Bridge, which links Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, and the joint border posts at Goldwater and Jandema, as catalysts for regional trade and connectivity.
Additionally, ECOWAS’s partnerships with Liberia’s National Elections Commission, National Commission on Arms, and Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications underscore its commitment to governance and digital development.
Speaking on behalf of the Foreign Minister, Counselor D.Y. Green noted that the anniversary is not merely a commemoration of the past but a reaffirmation of regional resilience, solidarity, and shared prosperity.
“This milestone is a powerful reminder of what we have accomplished together and what remains to be achieved,” she said, praising Liberia’s leadership in gender equality, particularly with the historic election of Africa’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
As Liberia continues to champion democracy, youth empowerment, and gender inclusion, ECOWAS reiterated its unwavering support for the country’s advancement under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The celebration concluded with a toast to continued unity and progress:
“Long live Liberia, long live ECOWAS, and may we remain stronger together for a better future.”
Original story by Front Page Africa
