Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a lecturer at the Central University, has slammed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over their role in ensuring political stability across Africa.
A military junta, on July 26, seized power in Niger and ousted the President of the country.
Following the military takeover, the leaders of ECOWAS have called for the reinstatement of the President and threatened to send a "standby" military force to Niger to intervene in the situation.
Commenting on the issue during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah says the ECOWAS has over the years become useless in addressing the problems confronting Africa.
"They are not useful. There is no use for ECOWAS. From 1991, the problems of ECOWAS, 2023 it is still the same problems," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.
Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah called for restructuring of ECOWAS, stressing "it is about time we made the effort to rethink the ECOWAS structures".
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Ecowas is very much aware of the existence ISIS , Al Quaida and other Islamist groups in Niger. What is their mission in Niger ? Who is sponsoring these groups and whose interest. Ecowas members pushing for military intervention must be very careful else those countries would be the subject of terrorist attacks causing destabilization of the region, hence innocent citizens will suffer and those countries will not be peaceful like Libya, Iraq,Syria and many more. Diplomacy should be the approach and not personal interest. We need peace and stability in the region by ensuring institutions are empowered to do what is right and not satisfying politics of the day, Perhaps Ecowas exist on paper and only activated base on interest. Dr, Ankrah is right
Doc, with due respect, as someone in academia you should have proposed some structures that needs to be looked at to fine tune to meet present day challenges in the sub region. Let's not bastardize our institutions entirely, i believe the foundation layers of ECOWAS had good reasons for establishing the organization. If they are not performing as expected, let's offer suggestions to make the regional bloc more purposeful. I tempted to believe the people in the west African countries have lost confidence in democracy and our democratically elected presidents. A former Nigerian leader was refused entry into Niger in his attempt to meet with the military junta. However same military junta granted audience to the Emir of Kano, Lamidi Sanusi also a Nigerian, a clear indication that the military junta in Niger have some respect for traditional/ religious authorities/ leaders. The presidents' of ECOWAS should use them. Some respected Chiefs, religious heads like the catholic bishops, revered imams may be able to reach some understanding with the military junta. Fact is that the military in Niger if given the opportunity will add some of the presidents of ECOWAS to their colleague president of Niger Mohammed Bazoum . Military intervention will be too costly. There will definitely be civilian casualties should , ECOWAS use force. It is not everything that is right to do, that is wise to do. We have rights but we also have wisdom . Rights without wisdom can be disastrous.