President John Dramani Mahama has praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a pillar of stability and diplomacy in Africa, commending its decades-long efforts in peacebuilding and conflict resolution across the subregion.
Speaking at a ceremony in Accra to mark the 50th anniversary of the regional bloc, President Mahama highlighted ECOWAS’s evolving role as a trusted and effective mediator in some of West Africa’s most turbulent political periods.
“Through consistent engagements, dialogue and mediation, our community has earned a reputation as a trusted arbiter in conflict prevention and resolution,” he noted.
Reflecting on the body’s track record, Mahama pointed to specific examples where ECOWAS’s intervention helped preserve peace and democratic order.
“Whether it has been in restoring peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone, in guiding Gambia through a difficult period, addressing electoral crises in Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, ECOWAS has proven that African solutions through diplomacy can and do work,” he stressed.
President Mahama acknowledged that despite past achievements, the regional body must continue evolving to meet new threats to peace and development.
He emphasized the need for renewed commitment, saying ECOWAS can build a stronger future “if [it] commits to refining in the face of emerging challenges.”
