News:
September 23, 2025
Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament Rt. Hon Memounatou Ibrahima has underscored the importance of adequate budget for the Parliament to undertake its oversight responsibility and its efficient management.
According to her the parliament’s budget is a fundamental instrument that guarantees its independence, effectiveness, and credibility.
She made these remarks at the opening of this year’s second parliamentary seminar in Port Harcourt Federal Republic of Nigeria ahead of Thursday, September 25, 2025, which starts the second Extraordinary Session which would look at the draft budget for 2026.
And in line with the guidelines of the 2026–2028 Budget Circular of the Commission, Parliament has prepared its draft budget within the framework of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), ensuring alignment with the Community’s strategic objectives, optimizing resources, and strictly adhering to the principle of zero budget increase, while prioritizing efficiency and accountability.
“I wish to remind you that the budget of our community is financed through the Community Levy, which is a tax of 0.5% on the CIF value of goods imported from countries outside the ECOWAS region. I take this opportunity to strongly encourage all Member States to fulfill this obligation in order to ensure the proper functioning of our institutions”.
The speaker further noted that the Community continues to face multidimensional challenges: insecurity, terrorism, climate disruptions, and economic vulnerabilities. These trials must, now more than ever, spur us to accelerate the process of integration.
Again, we cannot ignore the recent withdrawal of three Member States from ECOWAS—namely Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, we should encourage the ongoing dialogue with these countries, grouped under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and we remain hopeful for their full reintegration. And we already welcome the commitment expressed by all parties to maintain the free movement of persons and goods within the regional space, to the great benefit of our populations.
We are also closely following regional political developments, notably the upcoming presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire and encourage the ECOWAS Commission to redouble its efforts in supporting the conduct of a free, transparent, and peaceful election.
Throughout this landmark year of the Golden Jubilee of ECOWAS and the Silver Jubilee of our Parliament, we must keep in mind the fundamental truth that, in the face of contradictions, dialogue remains the instrument par excellence for conflict resolution. It is through dialogue that we shall consolidate our democratic gains and build a stable, integrated, and prosperous region.
This session offers us the opportunity to link bold reflection on the future with responsible management of the present. May our seminar inspire an institution that is forward-looking and ethical, and may our budgetary debate make us vigilant and visionary stewards for a people-centered ECOWAS—more united, stronger, and more peaceful.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com