Accra: Ghana is offering 1,000 scholarships to tertiary students from across the ECOWAS sub-region to study in the nation’s universities, President John Dramani Mahama has announced. This initiative is part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and aims to strengthen regional bonds.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama emphasized the significance of the scholarships as a gesture of solidarity and a means to foster unity among the young people of West Africa. Speaking at the launch of the ECOWAS@50 Anniversary Celebration in Accra, he stated, “This is not just a gesture, it is an act of solidarity. It is a bridge to a future where our young people who grew up seeing each other not as foreigners, but as partners.”
The event, themed ‘Stronger Together for a Brighter Future’, was attended by dignitaries including Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogb©, and representatives from all 12 ECOWAS member countries. President Mahama reiterated the importance of unity and solidarity in addressing regional challenges such as insecurity, diversity management, and collective prosperity.
President Mahama stressed the need for ECOWAS to remain a platform for dialogue and healing, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the values of peace and partnership within the region. He highlighted the historical significance of ECOWAS, founded in 1975, as a testament to the power of cooperation over competition.
Reflecting on ECOWAS’s achievements, President Mahama noted its role as a key diplomatic and political force in Africa, citing successful conflict resolution efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo. He emphasized the importance of protecting and enhancing this legacy, especially in light of current challenges such as violent extremism and political instability.
Addressing the recent decision by Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Sahel to withdraw from ECOWAS, President Mahama called for continued engagement and dialogue. He highlighted Ghana’s diplomatic efforts, including appointing a special envoy to foster communication with the Alliance of Sahel States.
In his message, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Madam Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, commended President Mahama’s leadership and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the anniversary as an opportunity for celebration, reflection, and recalibration.
