President Mahama to host ECOWAS summit in Accra
President
John Dramani Mahama, Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and
Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),
will host the sub-regional leaders for a two-day summit in Accra.The mid-year Summit scheduled for July 10 and July 11, will consider a report on the main activities and projects of ECOWAS over the first half of the year to be presented by the ECOWAS Commission President, Mr Kadre Desire Ouedraogo.
A statement signed by Ben Dotsei Malor, Head of Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Office of the President and copied to Ghana News Agency on Monday, said: “The leaders are expected to discuss a recommendation for the introduction of biometric ID cards for all ECOWAS citizens and the abolition of residence permit requirements for all citizens within Member States.”
It said the current Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, would also engage the attention and concern of the leaders attending the Summit.
Another issue to be discussed is an update on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, where a new president was sworn last month following successful parliamentary and presidential elections, held with the support of ECOWAS.
It noted that the Ministers would discuss a report on the Meeting of Security and Intelligence Chiefs held in Accra.
They will also examine updates on the security situations in parts of Nigeria and Northern Mali.
The statement said in addition to the leaders of the 15 -Members States, the Presidents of three nations bordering the ECOWAS sub-region – Mauritania, Cameroon and Chad – have also been invited.
The President of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations are also among the invitees.
“The 45th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government will be preceded in Accra on Tuesday, July 8, by a Mediation and Security Meeting of ECOWAS, involving the Foreign and Defence Ministers from all the Member states,” it said. GNA
