Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama expressed regret over Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at the bloc’s 50th-anniversary celebration in Accra, Mahama called for dialogue to address the division.
He emphasized the need for understanding and engagement, rather than isolation or recrimination.
Mahama highlighted Ghana’s diplomatic efforts, including the appointment of a special envoy to maintain communication with the Sahel states.
He stressed the importance of regional unity for shared prosperity and stability, despite the challenges.
The ECOWAS, originally a 15-member bloc, now comprises 12 nations.
The 50th-anniversary celebration, themed “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” served as a moment of reflection and a call to reaffirm the bloc’s principles.
Mahama praised ECOWAS’s role as a key diplomatic force in Africa, showcasing the effectiveness of African solutions.
The event featured the unveiling of the 50th-anniversary logo and included high-level attendees, underscoring ECOWAS’s commitment to regional cooperation and development since its founding in 1975.
