Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has described the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as “regrettable,” urging dialogue and unity amid growing regional tensions.
Speaking at the launch of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebrations in Accra on Tuesday, Mahama emphasized the need for engagement over division. “We must respond not with isolation or recrimination, but with understanding, dialogue, and a willingness to listen and engage,” he said.
Since taking office, Mahama noted that his administration has prioritized diplomacy, including the appointment of a special envoy to maintain open communication with the Sahelian nations.
Highlighting the theme of “shared destiny,” Mahama stressed that regional unity remains essential to achieving prosperity and stability in West Africa. “Greater solidarity and empathy are needed to address the difficult challenges faced by our brothers in the Sahel,” he added.
The departure of the three nations reduces ECOWAS’ membership from 15 to 12, at a time when the bloc is reflecting on five decades of regional cooperation. The anniversary event, held under the theme “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” was marked by a ceremonial launch in Ghana’s capital.
Mahama called the occasion not only a celebration, but also a moment to reflect on ECOWAS’ journey and renew its founding principles of unity, peace, and diplomacy. He praised the organization’s legacy as a vital diplomatic force on the continent, asserting that “African solutions through African diplomacy can and do work.”
The event also featured the unveiling of a new 50th-anniversary logo, symbolizing both the community’s achievements and its continued commitment to progress, according to ECOWAS Commission Vice-President Damtien Tchintchibidja.
Among those in attendance were ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Gambian Vice President Muhammed Jallow, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbe.
Founded on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS aims to foster regional integration and cooperation across trade, finance, and security, and has been instrumental in addressing political and humanitarian challenges across West Africa.