Also known as: ECOWAS · ECOWAS Council of Ministers · Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government · ECOWAS agreements · the Community · La Community
Regional economic and political organization whose member states coordinate on trade, energy, peace and security across West Africa.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Economic Community of West African States
Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… Speaking at the ECOWAS Ministerial Consultation on Youth, Peace and Security in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, he said commitments to youth participation must be backed by the resources and structures needed to translate policies into meaningful results. …
Osman Ayariga calls for sustainable funding for youth peace initiativesJoy Online
The Head of Component of the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, Ms Theresa Kraft, has called for stronger integration of gender perspectives into peace and security operations across Africa, stressing that existing policy commitments must translate into practic …
Gender mainstreaming essential to addressing Africa’s growing security challenges – EPSG officialJoy Online
… ow the story ends.” Mr Mahama said the continent’s security challenges were also being worsened by governance failures in Somalia, the marginalisation of young people in Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado region, and divisions between the Economic Community of West African States …
Africa must take control of its resources and security future – MahamaJoy Online
Energy Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are meeting in Accra to consider two regional instruments on battery energy storage and electricity market regulation. …
ECOWAS Energy Ministers to consider battery storage, electricity market regulationsJoy Online
… Ghana should rally ECOWAS coastal states to table a formal request for an Africa Blue Economy Facility at the next AfDB Annual Meetings. …
Asia just put $6 billion on its ocean. Where is ours?Joy Online
… It wasn’t just a Ghanaian effort, as Navies from Togo and Benin jumped in to help, alongside regional maritime groups and even the French Embassy, all coordinating under ECOWAS frameworks. …
Seven Ghanaian fishermen rescued after drifting into Togo and Benin watersJoy Online
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take its “ECOWAS For All” public sensitisation campaign to the Makola Market in Accra on Friday, October 23, to educate traders and other business operators on regional trade and free-movement opportunities. …
‘ECOWAS For All’ campaign heads to Makola Market to educate traders on cross-border tradeDaily Guide
… Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES), Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, said the countries of the bloc had indicated their intention to continue cooperating with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) collectively, despite their withdrawal from the re …
Ghana, EU Seek Renewed Cooperation With Sahel States To Tackle TerrorismJoy Online
… He reiterated Liberia’s commitment to working with the Mano River Union, ECOWAS and the various continental institutions on common infrastructure, compatible policies and regional industrial opportunities. …
Know the value of mineral wealth before negotiating deals, Liberia’s Veep tells African leadersJoy Online
The La community is preparing to take legal action over the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra, with its lawyer, Nsiah Akuetteh, insisting that the disputed land cannot be handed over to an investor without resolving questions surrounding ownership. …
La community heads to court over La Pleasure Beach demolitionOsman Ayariga, CEO of the National Youth Authority, has called for sustainable funding, stronger institutional coordination and effective monitoring to support youth-led peacebuilding and security initiatives. He stressed that young people need adequate support to participate in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across Ghana and the West African sub-region.
27 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Osman Ayariga, CEO of the National Youth Authority, has called for sustainable funding, stronger institutional coordination and effective monitoring to support youth-led peacebuilding and security initiatives. He stressed that young people need adequate support to participate in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across Ghana and the West African sub-region.
27 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An ECOWAS peace official has called for stronger integration of gender perspectives into peace and security operations across Africa, saying that policy commitments must translate into practical action. She stressed that gender mainstreaming is essential to understanding conflict dynamics, protecting civilians and building sustainable peace.
26 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama warned at Ethiopia's Tana Forum that foreign powers seek strategic influence and access to Africa's natural resources, and urged African leaders to coordinate a response to protect the continent's sovereignty and security.
24 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Energy ministers from ECOWAS member states are meeting in Accra to consider a directive on battery energy storage systems and an amendment to regional electricity market levy regulations, aimed at harmonizing energy sector operations and supporting renewable energy development across the sub-region.
23 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Asian Development Bank announced $6 billion to support Southeast Asia's blue economy between 2026 and 2030, addressing fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal resilience, while Ghana faces declining fish catches, rising input costs, and limited access to financing for its own fishing sector.
22 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Seven fishermen who went missing for two weeks after their canoe's motor failed were rescued and returned to Tema following a joint international search effort involving the Ghana Navy, Air Force, and navies from Togo and Benin. They had drifted into Togolese and Beninese waters after setting out from Sekondi toward Axim on October 9.
22 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking its "ECOWAS For All" public sensitisation campaign to Makola Market to educate traders on cross-border trade, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, customs procedures, immigration requirements and business opportunities within ECOWAS. The engagement will include interactive clinics with officials from Ghana Immigration Service, Customs, Port Health and other institutions.
22 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana and the EU have pledged to strengthen cooperation with Sahel countries to address terrorism, security threats and humanitarian challenges. At an October 2026 meeting in Accra, Ghana's Special Envoy noted that AES countries intend to continue cooperating with ECOWAS collectively despite their withdrawal from the regional organisation, while the EU's Sahel representative said the bloc is adopting a renewed approach centred on dialogue and identifying shared interests.
22 October 2026 · Daily Guide →
Liberia's Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, speaking at the Mining in Motion 2026 conference in Accra, urged African countries to understand the true value of their mineral resources before negotiating with investors, arguing that Africa's mineral wealth has not translated into equivalent industrial development, skilled employment, or prosperity for its people.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The La community is preparing legal action against the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra, with its lawyer arguing the land cannot be transferred to an investor without resolving ownership disputes and calling the demolition "pure trespass." The lawyer warned that further court action would follow if an investor takes possession of the disputed land, and criticised the failure to consult affected business owners before demolition.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The La Community has vowed to challenge any redevelopment of La Pleasure Beach Resort without its approval, claiming the property belongs to the people of La. The community's lawyer stated that legal action has already been initiated over what he described as unauthorised occupation of the land, following recent demolition of structures at La Beach under supervision of Ghana Armed Forces personnel.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →
ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) agreed at a Dakar meeting to establish a cooperation framework governing diplomatic relations, economic ties, and other areas of mutual priority following the January 2025 exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS. The framework aims to preserve visa-free movement and the flow of goods between the blocs.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece argues that poor ministerial performance stems not from individual failure but from a political system that rewards patronage and loyalty over merit, leaving national strategies unfulfilled because ministers have no incentive to pursue them.
19 October 2026 · The Chronicle →
The Economic Community of West African States and the Alliance of Sahel States have agreed to establish ground rules for relations after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's withdrawal from ECOWAS took effect in January 2025. At a foundational meeting in Dakar, the two blocs resolved to build a cooperation framework governing diplomatic relations, economic ties and development, with thematic working groups to hold technical consultations on issues including visa-free movement and trade flow.
18 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced a $250,000 relief contribution from ECOWAS to support victims of June floods in Ghana. The funds, transferred to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for distribution, are intended to ensure an independent beneficiary selection process not directly involving government.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that ECOWAS's US$250,000 donation for victims of June floods has arrived and been paid to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for distribution, with government excluded from deciding which victims benefit.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The African Trade Chamber Chair called for West African governments and institutions to prioritise competitive industrial production, technological capabilities and integrated regional value chains, arguing the region's dependence on primary commodity exports and weak production linkages limit its ability to retain economic value and withstand external shocks.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Cabinet approved a formal application to join BRICS as a partner country in October; partner status, created in 2024, allows attendance at summits and meetings but no decision-making power, unlike the eleven full members who decide by consensus.
13 October 2026 · Daily Guide →
International affairs analyst Prince Anuwar-Sadat Amadu has urged the government to ensure Ghana's bid to join BRICS is guided by national interests, economic analysis and strategic diplomatic considerations, cautioning against presenting membership as an automatic solution to economic challenges.
11 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Cabinet has decided to pursue BRICS membership to diversify partnerships, widen economic opportunities and deepen cooperation with the Global South. The Foreign Affairs Minister says membership could provide access to trade, investment and diplomatic coalition-building with major emerging economies while reducing dependence on traditional Western partners.
10 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The National Commission for Civic Education has urged authorities to strengthen security measures along Ghana's southern and coastal borders, warning that these areas are increasingly becoming hotspots for cross-border crime, violent extremism, narcotics and disinformation.
9 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana enacted the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2026 (Act 1168) to replace the 2000 Act, modernising its security and intelligence architecture through strengthened regional and local governance, clearly defined intelligence agencies, and reinforced oversight of national security.
8 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has committed to signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents (the Accra Convention), adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2025, to facilitate trade finance, cross-border commerce, and digital cargo documentation across ECOWAS.
8 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Trade Minister says the country is committed to signing and ratifying the UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, which provides a common legal framework for using cargo documents in financing and trading goods transported by road, rail and air. Ghana will host the opening for signature in Accra on October 26, 2026, and is urging other ECOWAS members to adopt the Convention.
8 October 2026 · Joy Online →
ECOWAS Chairman Bassirou Diomaye Faye has sworn in five new judges of the Community Court of Justice from Benin, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo. President Faye charged them to uphold impartiality, protect citizens' rights, and strengthen confidence in regional institutions during their four-year tenure.
8 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that Ghana's Cabinet has decided to formally apply for membership in BRICS, the grouping of emerging economies. The move is aimed at diversifying Ghana's international partnerships, expanding economic opportunities, and strengthening cooperation with countries in the Global South.
6 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a national public sensitisation campaign called "ECOWAS for All" to increase citizens' awareness of regional integration rights and opportunities, including visa-free travel, trade schemes, and the ability to establish businesses in other Member States. The campaign will use stakeholder forums, market outreach, border engagements, and media to bridge the gap between ECOWAS policies and citizens' everyday experiences.
2 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's Foreign Affairs Ministry has launched "ECOWAS for All," a campaign to improve public understanding of ECOWAS policies, programmes and opportunities and encourage citizens' participation in regional integration. Deputy Minister James Gyakye Quayson said the campaign addresses the gap between policy and public awareness, noting that many citizens remain unaware of rights and opportunities available through ECOWAS, including visa-free travel and regional trade benefits.
1 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Loveworld Trade & Investment Forum will hold its second edition in Accra from October 6–7, 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and business leaders to discuss African trade and investment prospects, with a focus on production, trade, trust and innovation.
30 September 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York that Ghana's Accra Reset initiative aims to build African capacity in critical sectors like healthcare rather than depend on external assistance. He cited a $174 million withdrawal of US development support and a reported $74 million annual health financing gap as evidence for the need for health sovereignty, including local medicine and vaccine manufacturing.
29 September 2026 · Joy Online →