ECOWAS – SS3 Geography Lesson Note (First Term)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organisation created by the Treaty of Lagos on 28 May 1975. It promotes economic trade, cooperation and monetary union for the growth and development of West Africa. Its administrative headquarters is in Abuja, and its fund headquarters is in Lome, Togo.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State when, where and by whom ECOWAS was formed.
2. Name the founding members of ECOWAS.
3. State the aims and objectives of ECOWAS.
4. Identify the organs of ECOWAS.
5. State the functions of each organ of ECOWAS.

Lesson outline

• Formation
• Aims and objectives
• Organs of ECOWAS and their functions

How was ECOWAS formed?

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was created by the Treaty of Lagos, Nigeria, on 28 May 1975. It was created to promote economic trade, national cooperation and monetary union, for growth and development throughout West Africa. The administrative headquarters of the community is located in Abuja, while the fund raising headquarters is located in Lome, Togo.

The establishment of the organisation was masterminded by General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria and President Eyadema of Togo. There are currently 15 member countries in the Economic Community of West African States.

Who were the founding members of ECOWAS?

The founding members of ECOWAS were: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania (left 2002), Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Burkina Faso (which joined as Upper Volta). Cape Verde joined in 1977.

What are the aims and objectives of ECOWAS?

1. To promote cooperation and integration in all fields of economic activities.
2. To raise the living standard of the people.
3. To increase and maintain economic stability.
4. To build closer relations among member states.
5. To contribute to the progress and development of the African continent.
6. To eliminate customs duties within the ECOWAS sub-region.
7. To remove obstacles to free movement of goods and people among member states.

What are the organs of ECOWAS and their functions?

The following are the organs of ECOWAS:

1. The Authority of Heads of State and Government

This is the highest organ of the organisation. It comprises Heads of State and Government within the sub-region. The organ is headed by a chairman who holds office for a period of one year. The body meets once a year, but an extraordinary meeting may be called.

Functions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government

1. The body appoints the Executive Secretary for the organisation.
2. It is the highest decision making body of the organisation.
3. The body approves the recommendations of the Council of Ministers.
4. It approves proposals initiated for the amendment of the charter established by the community.
5. The body approves all agreements and treaties entered into by the community.

2. The Council of Ministers

This council is made up of two ministers or representatives from each member state. The council meets twice a year.

Functions of the Council of Ministers

1. The council implements the decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
2. It approves the budget of the organisation.
3. It recommends the appointment of the Secretary General of the organisation.
4. The council prepares the agenda for the meetings of the Heads of State and Government.
5. It appoints the Managing Director of the ECOWAS Fund.
6. The body appoints the deputy Executive Secretaries.

3. The Executive Secretary

This is the administrative wing of the organisation. It is located in Abuja. The Secretary General is the head of the secretariat. He holds office for a period of five years and may be re-elected for another term.

Functions of the Secretariat

1. The secretariat prepares the annual report of the organisation.
2. It prepares the budget of the organisation.
3. It prepares the agenda for the meetings of the Council of Ministers.
4. The secretariat implements the decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Council of Ministers.
5. The secretariat keeps the files on all the meetings of the Council of Ministers and Heads of State.
6. The body is responsible for all correspondence of the community.

4. The Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development

The headquarters of the fund is located in Lome, Togo. It is headed by a Managing Director, who is appointed by the Council of Ministers.

Functions of the Fund

1. The fund is used to provide compensation to member states which sustained losses in the process of the application of the ECOWAS treaty.
2. The fund is to promote development efforts in less developed member states.
3. The fund is to facilitate the mobilisation of internal and external resources for development.
4. It helps to guarantee foreign investments proposed by member states.

Evaluation

1. Give a brief history of the formation of ECOWAS.
2. State 4 aims and objectives of ECOWAS.
3. Give 5 functions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
4. Highlight 4 functions of the Council of Ministers.

General evaluation and revision questions

1. Examine the features of the Hausa/Fulani pre-colonial administration.
2. Describe the political administration of the Yoruba pre-colonial system.

Assignment

Reading assignment

Essential Government by C.C. Dibie, pages 260-262.

Comprehensive Government by J.U. Anyeale, pages 240-241.

Weekend assignment

1. ECOWAS was established in (a) 1972 (b) 1985 (c) 1975.
2. All but one of the following were the founders of ECOWAS: (a) Muammar Gaddafi (b) Eyadema (c) Yakubu Gowon.
3. The current Secretary General of ECOWAS is (a) Muhammadu Buhari (b) John Mahama (c) Jacob Zuma.
4. The administrative headquarters of ECOWAS is located in (a) Abuja (b) Lome (c) Accra.
5. The fund raising headquarters of ECOWAS is located in (a) Freetown (b) Lome (c) Abidjan.

Theory

1. Identify the organs of ECOWAS.
2. State 4 functions of the Secretary General of ECOWAS.