37th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS opens today in Abuja

Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday to join other sub-regional heads to open the 37th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). A statement copied to Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday evening and signed by the Deputy Information Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said, President Mills was met on arrival at Abuja by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

It said their talks centered on strengthening regional integration, trade and how Ghana could deepen its leadership role in the sub-region. Dr Chambas took the opportunity to thank President Mills and Ghanaians for the support he received from them as the President of the ECOWAS Commission, which according to him gave him the opportunity to now head the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Nations. Dr Chambas, who would be handing over as the ECOWAS Commission President, is to take up his new role as head of the 79 Nation ACP from March 1, 2010.


The Acting Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan later paid a courtesy call on President Mills at his hotel in Abuja to welcome him to the country and convey to him arrangements for the ECOWAS Session. At the meeting, President Mills extended a message of goodwill from Ghanaians and assured the Acting Nigerian President of Ghana's support to his country.

Major highlights of the ECOWAS Session include the handing over by Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the situation in Niger and Guinea and the election of a new Chair of ECOWAS.