Indications are that Nigeria would not be willing to host next's month's ECOWAS Summit on behalf of Ghana as requested.
Ghana is therefore reviewing its stand and may have to host the summit scheduled for July 27 in Accra. Last month Ghana requested Nigeria to host the summit on her behalf because the country did not have facilities to host the expected 16 Heads of State.
A Ghana Government to that effect also said due to budgetary constraints the country could not foot the expenditure on the conference which runs into millions of dollars.
However, Finance Minister Dr. Kwesi Botchwey said that Ghana has been receiving signals which seem to suggest that "Nigeria might not be willing or able to host the summit" as requested. He said Ghana is therefore putting things in place to host the summit if later events confirm the signals.
Mr. Benjamin was in the country to consult with the ECOWAS Chairman on the summit and the statutory meeting which are almost due. He told the press that member countries owe the ECOWAS to the tune of $40,million and the chairman has been asked to help impress on members to make good their commitments.
Dr. Botchwey said in the next few days letter would be sent to member countries to remind them of their abligation. He said the appropriate action would be taken to ensure that the necessary payments are made.
