More than 1000 Community Citizens Celebrate the 49th Anniversary of ECOWAS in Kara -Togo

The Permanent Representation of the ECOWAS Commission in Togo, together with the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), the ECOWAS Infrastructure Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU) and the ECOWAS Brown Card celebrated the day of May 28, 2024 marking the 49th anniversary of our institution in Kara in northern Togo under the theme “Strengthening Unity, Peace and Regional Security”. It was in partnership with the University of Kara which was commemorating its 20th anniversary in this year 2024, and under the presidency of the Governor of Kozah.

In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, and the National Office of the ECOWAS Unit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the political-administrative authorities of the region were present (Governor, mayors, deputy mayors, township chiefs, religious and traditional authorities), directors of decentralised State services (ministries in charge of Agriculture, Trade, Local Government, Security, Transport, Customs and the Togolese Revenue Office), stakeholders from the Private Sector, Civil Society, Road Transport Unions, the university community (students, administrative, technical and service staff, teacher-researchers, heads of departments, vice deans, faculty deans, institute directors, directors and heads of central services of Kara University); representatives of women’s and youth organizations, the media, members of the ECOWAS Nationals Union (from Benin, Niger, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Togo), and ECOWAS staff in Togo.

The opening ceremony was chaired by the Governor of Kozah, Col. Bakali Hemou Badibawu, Representative of the central power, and in attendance were the Resident Representative, HE Barros Bacar BANJAI, the Representative of the President of the University of Kara, Professor KADOUZA Padabo, who gave the welcome address. A brief intervention by the President of the Union of ECOWAS Nationals in Togo, Mr. BA OURY, followed.

In his speech, HE Barros Bacar BANJAI affirmed that we cannot achieve prosperity without unity, peace and security, which is why by choosing this theme to celebrate its 49 years of existence, the current leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, in line with Vision 2050, entitled “ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity for all” has undertaken to translate the wish of citizens to live together, without barriers, in security and in good health, to achieve , while respecting fundamental rights, to shared prosperity. After paying tribute to the founding fathers of ECOWAS, General Gnassingbe Eyadema and General Yakubu GOWON, and recalled the missions assigned which have remained constant since 1975: Building together, a fully integrated community of peoples in a peaceful, prosperous region with strong institutions that respect fundamental freedoms and work for inclusive and sustainable development.

“Whether in terms of regional economic integration (its initial mandate), or the promotion of peace, ECOWAS has a track record to show. With fifteen States with varied political, linguistic and economic profiles, occupying a vast geographical space between the Atlantic coast and the Saharan desert, our region has made significant progress marked by tangible achievements, particularly in the areas of democratic governance, the free movement of people and goods, the progressive transformation of our economies, and improving the functioning of our institutions,” he said. Likewise, ECOWAS has adopted a 2022-2026 action plan and a 2050 vision which targets peace, security, stability, the rule of law, economic and social integration, etc. He invited all participants to debate around the four planned themes, in particular:

1. The ECOWAS economic and integration agenda: regional economic integration, monetary union, CET, free movement of people and goods;
2. The ECOWAS peace and security agenda: protocol relating to the mechanism for prevention, management, resolution of conflicts, maintenance of peace and security;
3. ECOWAS Vision 2050: The ECOWAS of the people: Peace and Prosperity for all, ECOWAS strategic objectives 2022-2026, etc.
4. Human capital at the service of regional and economic integration: the contribution of Kara University, 20 years after its creation.

Finally, he reassured participants of ECOWAS’ firm commitment to taking effective action against the ills hampering development in the region.

In his opening remarks, the Governor of Kozah welcomed the ECOWAS delegation and commended the relocation of the commemoration of the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS to his region, at a time when the regional organisation is facing major challenges of all kinds. However, he expressed the hope that ECOWAS will have a better future if it succeeds in overcoming these challenges in a spirit of solidarity, fraternity, peace and security for the sustainable development of grassroots populations.

The opening ceremony ended with a visit to the exhibition stands of the agencies that had come all the way to Kara (Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food – RAAF; ECOWAS Brown Card; Preparation and Development Unit for ECOWAS Infrastructure Projects – PPDU), as well as those of the ECOWAS Nationals’ Union and the University of Kara.

The celebration of this 49th anniversary in Togo was an opportunity for cultural exchange with ECOWAS nationals from several countries in the sub-region, as well as a moment of fraternal communion between the citizens of West Africa in the march towards an ECOWAS of peoples and shared prosperity.

The rich exchanges that followed the four presentations showed the great interest of the participants in the themes developed.