Accra: Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, the Dean and Director of Academic Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, has stated that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is far from achieving the objectives it was established for. He emphasized that, despite 50 years since its inception, ECOWAS remains distant from its goal of building an integrated economic community that fosters trade among its member states.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Antwi-Danso made these remarks during an interview in Accra on the occasion of the launch of ECOWAS’ 50th Anniversary celebrations. The event, which took place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, featured participation from Heads of State, Governments, Ministers, and other dignitaries. It included the unveiling of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee logo and theme, alongside artistic performances celebrating the bloc’s history and achievements.
Dr Antwi-Danso pointed out several obstacles hindering the region’s integration efforts, including poor leadership, trade barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and limited cooperation among member states. He highlighted that intra-ECOWAS trade currently ranges between 10 to 14 percent, compared to 86 percent of trade with external partners, which he described as detrimental to the bloc’s development and integration goals.
He further criticized the incomplete status of major infrastructure projects like the trans-ECOWAS highway, which is crucial for the movement of goods and services across the region. Dr Antwi-Danso remarked that the highway’s unfinished state prevents seamless travel from Ghana to Sierra Leone or Senegal.
The academic also expressed concern over the lack of awareness among citizens in member states regarding ECOWAS’ operations and offices. He noted that the only visible ECOWAS presence is often limited to a desk at ministries such as Foreign Affairs or Finance, suggesting a waning enthusiasm for the regional bloc as countries focus on their specific issues.
Dr Antwi-Danso observed that the majority of ECOWAS member states are considered underdeveloped, with Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal being exceptions. He attributed this to the economic constraints faced by most member states, leading them to prioritize national interests over regional cooperation.
In light of these challenges, Dr Antwi-Danso called on ECOWAS to promote regional integration through policy harmonization, resource pooling, and collective action to tackle the region’s pressing challenges. He emphasized the need for strong leadership and enhanced collaboration among member countries to advance the bloc’s security, economic development, and infrastructure agenda.
