ECOWAS to elect new Chairman

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - The election of a new Chairman for the 15-member Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) would be high on the agenda when the 28th Summit of Heads of State and Government takes place in Accra on Wednesday.

President John Agyekum Kufuor, the current Chairman, would be completing his two consecutive terms at the Summit.

Dr Adrienne Diop, ECOWAS Director of Communication, told a press briefing that the day's Ordinary Summit of the Sub-Regional Leaders would also take a decision on the adoption of a Common Agricultural Policy for West Africa, which aimed at achieving sustainable regional food security, rational management of national resources and decent remunerations for agricultural operators.

There would also be a review of the implementation of the various programmes being pursued towards the socio-economic integration of the Sub-Region.

The Summit would also consider the report of the Executive Secretary, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas as well as those from the 52nd and 53rd Ordinary Sessions of the Council of Ministers, the organ responsible for the administration of the Secretariat.

Discussions would also centre on the security situation in the Sub-Region, the composition of the mediation and Security Council and the Council of Elders.

The Heads of State would be examining the recommendations from the Council of Ministers on a Livestock Development Programme for the Sub-Region as well as programmes on Energy and Telecommunications. They would also undertake a general review of implementation of programmes under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and approve the recommendation for a memorandum on the liberalization of air transport in the Sub-Region.