Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, highlighted the financial challenges currently faced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and urged against overburdening the regional bloc’s institutions.
Speaking at the opening of the 16th Administrative and Budget Retreat of the ECOWAS Court in Nasarawa State, near Abuja, Justice Asante emphasized the importance of managing resources prudently in light of the community’s financial constraints.
“We must all know that the Community is now financially weak and therefore we do not have to overburden the Community itself,” he stated, noting that despite these financial challenges, the Court remains committed to its mandate. “We still have to do our programmes to let people know that the Court is also performing its function.”
Justice Asante underscored the critical role of budgetary allocations for the Court’s operations, highlighting that approximately 80 percent of the Court’s budget is consumed by administrative and operational costs. This leaves limited funds for other planned activities, necessitating careful budget planning and strategic allocation of resources.
He called on participants to contribute thoughtfully to the budget discussions to ensure a well-considered budget proposal for submission to the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and the Council of Ministers. “We have to be able to judge all and put our heads together to come up with the best budget,” he said.
Justice Asante also invited attendees to engage in productive dialogue and decision-making throughout the retreat, aimed at fostering innovative solutions and renewing the sense of purpose within the Community Court of Justice.
Dr. William Towah, Director of Administration and Finance, expressed confidence in the retreat’s potential to inspire new ideas and address the Court’s challenges. He emphasized the importance of assessing the Court’s progress and strategizing for the future, commending the dedication of the Court’s members for their role in upholding the rule of law.
“Our collective efforts have earned the respect and trust of our stakeholders, creating a positive impact on the lives of those we serve,” Dr. Towah stated, while also calling for continuous improvement and critical assessment of the Court’s shortcomings.
The annual retreat, attended by the Honorable Vice President, judges, directors, and relevant staff of the Court, aims to leverage the collective wisdom and diverse perspectives of its participants for constructive debates and effective planning.
