AFRICA/GHANA - Regional crisis, currency, common agricultural policy and electicity were some of the topics discussed by heads of state at a meeting of the Economic Community of West African Countries which ended today

Thursday, 20 January 2005

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Rome (Fides Service)- A summit meeting of CEDEAO/ECOWS, Economic Community of West African Countries, held in Accra, capital of Ghana, closed today with the nomination of Niger President Mamadou Tandja, as presidente of the community of 15 West African countries.
Tadja succeeeds the President of Ghana John Kufuor who led CEDEAO for 2 mandates. The main topic for head of state discussion was the crisis in Ivory Coast. CEDEAO member countries reaffirmed commitment to suport initiatives undertaken by the United Nations Security Council and the African Union to restore peace in Ivory Coast, with special reference to the peace agreement reach in France in January 2003 and the so-called Accra 3 agreement in 2004. Both pacts sanctioned the formation of an interim government, disarmament of the factions, Constutitional revision and general elections before the end of 2005.
CEDEAO reaffirmed commitment to promoting security in Guinea Bissau in view of elections planned for May.
Economic matters discussed included a common agricultural plan to guarantee permanent food security for member countries and more rational use of the region’s water resources. An agreement was reached to improve production of electicity in the region. Other topics discussed included liberalisation of air transport and common currency for the 15 member countries.
The members of CEDEAO based in Abuja (Nigeria) are the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo (French speaking); Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone (English speaking); Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau (Portuguese speaking). Founding member country Mauritania withdrew in 2000. CEDEAO was established 30 years ago to promote peace, stability and economic integration among west African countries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/1/2005 righe 30 parole 360)