Ghana Hosts Launch of ECOWAS 50th Anniversary Celebrations

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana officially inaugurated the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at a ceremony in Accra attended by high-level representatives from member states.

The event marks the beginning of a year-long commemoration of the regional bloc’s establishment in 1975, highlighting its achievements in economic integration, peacekeeping, and regional cooperation. President Mahama emphasized ECOWAS’s role in fostering stability and development across West Africa, despite recent challenges.

“Five decades of ECOWAS represent fifty years of collective resilience,” Mahama stated during the launch. “From trade liberalization to conflict resolution, our community has demonstrated that regional solidarity remains our strongest asset.”

The anniversary comes at a pivotal moment for the 15-member bloc, as it navigates the planned withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The celebrations are expected to include cultural events, policy forums, and reflections on ECOWAS’s future, with a focus on youth engagement and economic transformation.

Delegates at the launch expressed cautious optimism about the bloc’s ability to adapt to evolving geopolitical realities while preserving its founding principles of unity and shared prosperity. The Accra ceremony sets the stage for a series of anniversary events scheduled across the region throughout 2025.