“Learn from Ghana’s democratic example”, Tinubu urges ECOWAS leaders

President Bola Tinubu has called on West African leaders to take inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections, as an example of democratic maturity and dedication to national unity.

This was made known through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga during a State House press release, yesterday.

President Tinubu reportedly praised Ghananians and President Nana Akufo-Addo for the successful recent presidential and legislative elections, which set a high bar for the region, during the start of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja on Sunday.

“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire Africa continent”, he stated.

“Despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African countries, the region has continued to record democratic gains.

“Just a week ago, on December 7 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections took place in Ghana, the second-largest democracy in our region.

“One of the leading candidates who happens to be the incumbent Vice President, His Excellency Mahamudu Bawumia, together with the leadership of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat and accepted the outcome of the Presidential election by congratulating the President-elect, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama of National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his victory, even before the official announcement of the election results.

“This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana.

President Tinubu described President Akufo-Addo as a formidable Pan-Africanist.

Tinubu commended him for his outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to ECOWAS during his two-year mandate.

Additionally, Senegal’s government and citizens were congratulated by President Tinubu on the triumph of their parliamentary elections.

He commended Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, the foreign minister of Ghana, for tirelessly guiding the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee on the Reform.

He hoped she would succeed in her new position as Commonwealth Secretary General.

President Tinubu emphasized accomplishments from his first term as ECOWAS Chair in his second term, such as advancements in economic growth, regional integration, conflict resolution, and counterterrorism initiatives.

He said that trade and economic cooperation had been reinforced by the Common External Tariff (CET) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).

“Similarly, regional infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West Africa Power Pool, and modernising key border posts with advanced equipment and joint border operations utilising state-of-the-art technology have significantly enhanced connectivity and promoted greater regional integration.

“Furthermore, our efforts in stabilising our region through peacekeeping missions currently in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau, as well as previous operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have demonstrated our capacity to act decisively in the face of adversity.

The ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism, according to President Tinubu, has offered a thorough framework for thwarting violent extremism and bolstering regional security.

President Tinubu asked member states to renew their commitment to the bloc’s basic principles of economic integration, peace, and prosperity as ECOWAS approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025.

“As a regional community, we must maintain our fundamental responsibility: to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper.

“As leaders, we know that security is not a luxury but a necessity. Equally, enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation”, he said.

Along with the vice president of Sierra Leone, the finance minister of the Benin Republic, the minister of international affairs of Togo, and the ambassador of Cape Verde to Nigeria, the presidents of Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire were there in person.

Dr. Omar Touray, the president of the ECOWAS Commission, praised Nigeria for its leadership and dedication under President Tinubu by paying all of its community levy for 2023 and making significant remittances for 2024.

“For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy from 2023.

“I’m therefore pleased to announce that on Friday, December 13, 2024, Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100% of the 2023 levy and the 2024 levy up to July 2024.

“We all agree that this payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to our community.

“At a more personal level, it represents confidence in the management I have been privileged to lead since 2022”.

He urged the other member states to carefully fulfill their financial obligations.

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