MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS TO HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA FOR HIS ELECTION AS ECOWAS CHAIRMAN

The Secretariat of the All Africa Students Union (AASU) wishes to congratulate His Excellency John Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, for his election as Chairman of ECOWAS at the just ended 44th ECOWAS summit held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire. Your election is a demonstration of the confidence of your peers in your leadership ability but also a testimony of the important role of Ghana in the West African sub-region and beyond.

The historical leadership role of Ghana in Africa is beyond doubt and must at all time be rekindled and hailed as manifested by your determination to facilitate economic development and deepen political stability of the region with emphasis on peace and security during your chairmanship period.

There is no doubt that ECOWAS has achieved major successes but could have even done more if the socio-economic and political integration of the countries is deepened. African countries as they exist now are weak and their viability is even questionable as recent events in Mali, Central African Country etc. can testify.

As you assume the mantle of the chairmanship of the sub-regional body, we urge His Excellency not to leave any stone unturned in all endeavours geared toward the socio-economic and political integration of the countries in ECOWAS- sole guaranty for peace and prosperity for the people of the West Africa.

We call for an immediate end to the unduly harassments of the citizenry by security agents and to ensure the free movement of people and goods in a borderless west Africa.

We urge His Excellency John Mahama not just to stick to the priorities he has outlined but to make sure they become realities notably undertaking actions that will create a favorable environment for rapid and sustainable development into the region which will also contribute to addressing the region's youth unemployment challenges.

We equally call for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between ECOWAS and European Union (EU) that will not only safeguard the interests of the sub-region but would not be also an impediment in the creation of an African common market.

All for an integrated and borderless West Africa!
Awaah Fred
(Secretary General) [email protected]/+233 (0)243101626