ECOWAS states refuse to sign partnership deal with EU

ACCRA — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have once again refused to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU), local media reported here yesterday.This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the 44th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Authority held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire late last Saturday.

It said some states, particularly Nigeria, had found issues with technical matters about the agreement, compelling the heads of state and government to shelve the signing of the deal.

This was in spite of the fact that the West African leaders had reaffirmed their strong commitment to the agreement and endorsed its conclusion in principle.

The authority directed the chief negotiators to take steps to address the issues raised by Nigeria and other member states within two months before appending their signature to the EPA.

“The authority also directs the chief negotiators to establish a committee, including representatives from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, to look at these issues and present the final outcome to the Heads of State and Government,” the communique stated.

The EPA is a trade and development agreement negotiated between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries engaged in a regional economic integration process.

It aims, among other things, at helping countries in regional and sub-regional blocs to integrate into the world economy and share in the opportunities offered by globalisation.

Addressing a news conference later, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who was elected the new ECOWAS chairman, said though the leaders agreed in principle to the agreement, they needed to negotiate an agreement that would be beneficial to their peoples.

In Ghana and other West African countries, religious and farmer-based groups have opposed the signing of the agreement by ECOWAS, saying it would worsen the economic problems of their countries.

The ECOWAS communique, which was read by ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, also touched on regional economic performance and consolidation of the common market. — Xinhua.