The economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a sub-regional organization in West Africa. Two most recognized leaders in West Africa, General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria and President Guassigbe Eyadema of Togo made the establishment of ECOWAS possible with the treaty signed in Lagos, Nigeria on 28th May, 1975 with the membership of 15 countries, 5 anglophone, 8 francophone and 2 busophone speaking countries. ECOWAS has an organ that is empowered to carry out duties for the progress and development of the organization. The organ is made up of the Authority of heads of state and government, the council of ministries, Community Court of Justice, executive Secretarial, the parliament.
The main gold of the organization is to promote economic integration among member states, particularly in Natural resources, agricultural, industries, political, social and cultural matters, among others. While the objectives of the organization includes: To encourage greater economic competitiveness, through the opening of market, to converge micro-economic policies, to create single market, too remove obstacles to free movement of people and goods among members of states, to encourage progress and development, among others.
ECOWAS, as a regional organization have recorded a remarkable success in some of itself set objectives which includes:
Free movement of persons and goods within the region. ECOWAS have succeeded to introduce Visa free travel which was achieved in 1986 that guaranteed citizens of West African countries the right to settle in any country of their choice within the region. ECOWAS have also formulated a common trade policy (CTP) and ECOWAS trade development. The implementation of common external trade (CET) by the eight member state through the custom union, which have encourages investigation and reduced poverty in the region. Also with the establishment of economic partnership Agreement (EPA) which was signed by 13 members have also enhanced economic progress in the region.
The ECOWAS secretariat and fund. The corporation main policies are to compensate and develop the region. ECOWAS Bank was as a result of ECOWAS fund, which is mainly for investment and development. There are also great records through adoption of macro economic convergence report, establishment of ECOWAS monetary institution (EMI).
In year 2000, ECOWAS formed the West Africa Monetary Zone (NAMZ) which aims is to create stable currency by bringing CFA Franc and ECO to merge into single currency and adoption of single biometric identity card. There is a march toward implementing these by 2020. In the aspect of peace and security ECOWAS have prevent and resolute crises and promoted peace and stability. With the formation of ECOMOG peace keeping force has help in restoring democracy in Liberia 1990—1997 and Sierra Leone 1998. Regional border management was also formed for immigration and security training institution. ECOWAS has help to ensure free and fair and credible election in the countries of the region through the establishment of electoral assistance mechanism ECOWAS as an organization was create to promote the regional integration are foster economic development, the organization however, have limited progress which is recorded as failure and inability to implement most of it set objectives.
Nationalism foster independence in west Africa despite gaining freedom from colonialist there are obstacles affecting the progress of the region that include colonial heritage and continues influence in the economics, Educational system and administrative have become the regions problem.
Equality of indigenous participation. For instance Nigeria had been bigger issue in over shadowing other countries in the region in terms of population gross domestic product and national resource endowment. Though attempts have been made to counterbalance this by placing ECOWAS member states in an equal growth except the financial contribution. For fear of this domination the French has instance their influence in the region if this is not carefully handle it will affect the region integration process.
There is no doubt that ideological difference has hampers the cohesiveness of the community. In other to reduce political ideology in favour of pluralism and economics liberalism , democracy society should be set up to guide member state. With this, it will promote the grass root involvement and cooperation in the region and also rules inline with democratic should be form in the political system through the establishment of liberal democracy that will encourage freedom of association. Free enter price and flow of information and ideas.
Economic instability has been major issue to integration such as recession un implementation of long term economic development plans and implementation of short term economic development plans, with this there is a little no effort to transform and diversify the economic. There should be establishment of long term investment and development by ECOWAS.
Even though there was treaty signed for regional cooperation in political defense matters there is a need to create a conducive atmosphere of trust and confidence throughout the region for integration .ECOWAS have sent troops for peace keeping programs in Liberian and Sierra Leone which have brought about peace. Thus the peace keeping system of ECOWAS is only main to address a particular problem at a particular time it is not created to meet future needs of the region, ECOWAS need a permanent security arrangement that will guarantee peace and security of the region.
Leadership have contributed to political instability and economic decline, this content reflect a leadership crisis on the content. Strong leadership should provide vision, directive and substantial sacrifice and commitment that will enhance co-corporation. Some Africa leaders are recommended while some have failed to meet their area of obligation to make great contribution and set example for future leaders.
External support is very necessary to Africa country this is because Africans have said with confidence that the development of the continent is in their hands never will they seek for continent support, external support is very important for the development and regional cooperation.
Thus, ECOWAS have failed to implement some of it set objective in areas of factories trans-regional high way, railway, gas pipe line, monetary union, most of the country in the region have small market exception of Nigeria and Ghana. With free movement of people and goods it has attracted smuggling and extortion. The West Africa health organization failed the region when they could not handle the Ebola epidemic which resulted to lost of lives.
By.
Usman Mary Rubus
PG Student of Kaduna State University