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| : ECOWAS |
Firstsitenews-The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been urged to reduce its dependency on foreign aid and development partners, as part of a broader push for financial self-sufficiency and institutional reform.
Speaking at the opening of the 37th ECOWAS Administrative and Finance Committee meeting held in Abuja on Sunday, Commissioner for Internal Services, Professor Nazifi Darma, called on member states to maximise internal resource mobilisation and eliminate corruption.
“As experts deliberating on administrative and financial matters, I encourage you to consider a major global shift the new world order led by the United States. One of its impacts is the evolving model of assistance by USAID across many of our countries, a model that other development partners may soon adopt,” Darma noted.
He urged members to "put on their thinking caps" and devise strategies for optimising internal resources while systematically reducing reliance on foreign support. “This should be our ultimate objective,” he stressed.
Darma also cited the recent upgrade of translation equipment at the ECOWAS Secretariat as evidence of the institution’s commitment to improved operational efficiency.
Committee Chairman, Ambassador Olawale Awe, addressed key institutional challenges, particularly following the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the bloc. He stressed the importance of full compliance by remaining member states with the ECOWAS community levy to sustain regional programmes.
“Now more than ever, member states must fulfil their financial obligations through the community levy, especially in the wake of the exit of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. This is vital for the continuation of ECOWAS initiatives that benefit our citizens,” Awe said.
He also highlighted the need to fill staffing vacancies within ECOWAS institutions, calling for a recruitment process rooted in merit, equity, and regional balance.
“With the exit of three member countries, it is critical to review our staffing strategy and ensure vacancies are filled appropriately,” he added.
Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, acknowledged the current challenges facing the region and called for united efforts to address them.
“Our region is facing multiple crises. We must come together, assess the situation thoroughly, and enhance our collective responses,” she said, urging for urgent institutional reforms in light of the shifting political and security environment.
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