President Muhammadu Buhari has called for stronger partnerships among ECOWAS leaders to tackle challenges facing the region, noting that the political, economic, security and Covid-19 issues will require collective action.
The President made the call On Sunday in his remark at the 60th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held at the state house Abuja.
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He said the region faces renewed threats with the Covid-19 pandemic, political tensions, terrorism and economic challenges.
President Buhari commended the Chair of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akuffo-Addo for the purposeful leadership, commitment and energy he continues to exert to resolve the challenges confronting the organization.
The President noted that challenges of COVID-19 and the catastrophic consequences hoisted on socio-economic environment had continued, adding that the regional resilience, determination and resolution of working together, in solidarity with each other, assisted greatly to lessen the burden of the Pandemic.
President Buhari noted that the sub-region continues to face socio-economic, political, security and environmental fragilities linked to COVID-19 pandemic, adding that democracy is being challenged in Mali and Guinea.
In his remarks, Akufo-Addo said about 10,000 people have died from the Covid-19 pandemic in West Africa, and only two percent of the population had been fully vaccinated, while 6 percent got one dose.
He said the emergence of a new variant poses fresh challenges, adding that the sanctions and restrictions on travelling were unjustified.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Brou, appraised the Heads of State and Government on economic, political and security challenges facing the region, calling for concerted efforts to tackle the difficulties.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
