The chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Akufo-Addo, will on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 convene a consultative meeting as part of efforts to resolve the political crisis in Mali.
The meeting, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, is part of several efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis in the West African country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Sunday, the Minister noted that the consultative meeting is in line with efforts by the regional block to ensure progressive development of member countries. She said the consultative meeting will be held to proffer conflict resolution strategies in accordance with relevant protocols to bring an end to the political crisis in the West African state.
“You will recall that at the 57th Summit of the Authorities of ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments, Ghana was unanimously elected as Chair of ECOWAS authority for a period of 1 year. The election of Ghana places President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the same shoes as his predecessors the former presidents of the Republic of Ghana Excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama who previously had taken on such enormous task. The Head of Authority is the supreme institution of the community and responsible for the general direction and control of the ECOWAS community.
“It takes appropriate measures to ensure the progressive development of a community and attend to its objectives. The authority takes actions on all matters of conflict prevention, management and resolution, peace keeping and security as covered by relevant protocols,” she added.
The President will be joined by a number of Heads of State from ECOWAS to deliberate on the Mali situation. The consultative meeting on Tuesday will be the first official assignment of President Akufo-Addo after assuming the position of Chairman of the Commission last week.
However, the Minister for Information noted that government expect that all stakeholders and parties involved would work together and assist so that the necessary diplomatic courtesies are extended to Heads of States and relevant authorities who will be coming into the country.
