ECOWAS Meeting Underway In Accra; Election Of New Chair Unclear

It is however unclear if there would be the election of a new chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

There have been media reports that President John Dramani Mahama will be chairing his last meeting as a new chairman will be elected at the Accra meeting.

But the election of a new chairman is not specifically mentioned on the agenda.

It is the 5th time President Mahama has hosted an ECOWAS summit in Accra since becoming the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire in 2014.

Early this year, the West African leaders extended the mandate of Mr Mahama, during their meeting in Abuja.

Dignitaries billed to speak at the opening ceremony are President Mahama, the United Nations Secretary General Special Representative for West Africa, Dr Mohammed Ibn.Chambas, the ECOWAS Commission President, Kadre Desire Ouadraogo, and the chairperson of the Africa Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

The main session would discuss the 2015 interim report of the ECOWAS Commission, report of the 74th ordinary session of ECOWAS council of ministers, report of the 34th meeting of the mediation and Security Council.

Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan is attending his last ECOWAS meeting before hands over to Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria President on May 29.