The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has called for urgent reforms within the regional bloc to address the escalating crises in West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 Third Extra-Ordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar in Lome, Togo, Ibrahima highlighted the need to reform ECOWAS’ procedures and laws to effectively tackle challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, floods, and irregular migration.
“Our region is ravaged by multiple crises affecting thousands of citizens. ECOWAS, after 50 years, must speed up reforms to consolidate democracy and good governance to realize the founding fathers’ vision,” she said.
Ibrahima also emphasized the importance of budgetary provisions to fund initiatives aimed at resolving these issues, with the 2025-2027 budget expected to lay out a clear financial roadmap for pragmatic solutions.
Commending Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbé, for his support of regional integration and women’s empowerment, Ibrahima noted that her historic election as the first female speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament reflected the president’s promotion of female leadership.
The session will also review the implementation of the 2023 budget and mid-term assessments for 2024 to ensure alignment with regional development goals. A symposium organized by the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), titled “Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion,” will explore opportunities to enhance women’s access to financial services and promote economic empowerment.
In a goodwill message, the President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, stressed the need for infrastructure development and investment in West Africa to boost regional competitiveness. He also called for the equitable distribution of economic opportunities to benefit all citizens.
Togolese Human Rights Minister, Barrister Pacome Yawovi Missiame Adjourouvi, highlighted concerns about the state of human rights in the region, warning that repressive governments were undermining freedoms and human rights protections. He called for the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and gender equality to ensure peace and progress in West Africa.
The Speaker of the Togolese National Assembly, Sevon-Tepe Kodjo Adedze, who declared the session open, emphasized the need for ECOWAS to prioritize social inclusion, economic integration, and stability, aligning with the bloc’s Vision 2050.
