International Organization – ECOWAS SS3 Government Lesson Note

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

1. State the meaning of ECOWAS and narrate a brief history of ECOWAS
2. List some nations that are part of the ECOWAS
3. State the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS
4. Discuss the problems of the ECOWAS

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: 

• Identification, 
• explanation, 
• questions and answers, 
• demonstration, 
• videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: 

• Videos, 
• loud speaker, 
• textbook, 
• pictures

NOTE

ECOWAS

ECOWAS means Economic Community of West African States. ECOWAS was established on May 28th , 1975 after the treaty establishing it was signed in Lagos, Nigeria.

The member countries of ECOWAS are:

1. Sierra Leone
2. Gambia        
3. Cape verde               
4. Guinea         
5. Guinea Bissaau        
6. Côte D’ivoire
7. Liberia       
8. Burkina Faso
9. Mali  

1. Mauritania
2. Niger                     
3. Nigeria       
4. Senegal                  
5. Benin          

1. Togo 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF ECOWAS

1. To promote cooperation and integration.
2. It aims to establish an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living standards of its peoples
3. To maintain and enhance economic stability
4. To foster relations among member states
5. To contribute to the progress and development of the African continent
6. Implementation of infrastructural schemes and joint developmental projects in the area of transportation, energy etc.

1. Harmonisation of monetary policies of member countries
2. Harmonisation of economic and industrial policies among member countries.
3. To establish a common fund for cooperation, compensation and development. 

ACHIEVEMENT OF ECOWAS

1. ECOWAS has been an arbiter in regional conflicts through ECOMOG(economic monitoring group) thus restoring peace in Liberia, intervened in Sierra Leone and restored order in 1997, it also intervened in the civil war of Guinea Bissau hence a credit to Ecowas.

1. ECOWAS offered assistance to crumbling West African economies especially after the departure of colonialism when the colonial masters withdrew their support.
2. Member states committed themselves not to attack one another through the non- aggression treaty signed in 1976. This promoted peace in West Africa.

1. ECOWAS put up a strong standing army (ECOMOG) of 15 battalions to sort out West African problems in case of a crisis, this has limited aggression and counter aggression.

1. ECOWAS has a clause of non interference in the internal affairs of member states, this in effect promoted a period of peace and development in West Africa.
2. ECOWAS has successfully undertaken large projects among member states to their completion which would have hitherto called for external assistance and borrowing for example the West African power pool was started to construct power stations in different countries of West Africa. This boosted industrial development for example Diama and Manatali dams in Senegal and Mali respectively.
3. ECOWAS ensured free mobility of people, goods and services, this was enforced in the 4th heads of state summit in Dakar Senegal where passports and visa restrictions were removed. This in effect reduced unemployment and promoted the spirit of togetherness.
4. Trade has been enhanced through the removal of customs duties and tariffs on commodities originating from West Africa. This promoted industrialization in West Africa. This was approved in 2002.
5. Trees were planted to reclaim the Sahel region on recommendation and approval of ECOWAS. This in effect has conserved the environment and steps to improve the environment have been upheld since 1982.
6. ECOWAS has effectively represented West Africa on the international forum, and acquisition of international markets like AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), it also deals with the European Union and this has enhanced West African bargaining power on prices in the world market.

PROBLEMS OR FAILURES OF ECOWAS

1. Language differences among member countries.
2. Currency differences among member countries.
3. Irregular payment of contributions/dues by member states.
4. The existence of blocs with the organisation i.e. Anglophone and Francophone blocs

1. The affinity of some member states to their former colonial masters.
2. Constant military coups, wars and political instability in member states
3. Weak national link with the secretariat
4. Fear of dominant and unequal development 

EVALUATION:   

1. State the meaning of ECOWAS and narrate a brief history of ECOWAS
2. List some nations that are part of the ECOWAS
3. State the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS
4. Discuss the problems of the ECOWAS

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively