July 21, 2020

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament would on Tuesday join the league of Community institutions with the use of technology in conducting its Second Extraordinary session using Zoom virtual platform.

This follows guidelines on Covid-19 protocols for Community institutions, issued by President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

The Bureau of Parliament is set to hold a five –day meeting virtually to consider some referrals from the Community issues which borders on the wellbeing of the people of the sub-region in line with the provisions of the Supplementary Act relating to the Enhancement of the powers of the Parliament.

In a press release, it was pointed out that the ECOWAS Commission was seeking assistance from the Parliament in implementing the Community protocols on the levy.

That the Community Parliament takes a decision relating to the contribution of member states to the Africa Union solidarity fund in the fight against COVID-19, and referral from the Commission on the fight against the coronavirus, the stabilization and recovery of the economies of the ECOWAS member states.

And as a result of this development, the Community Parliament has concluded all technical and manpower arrangements to ensure a seamless session, an innovation which shows the importance the ECOWAS Parliament arrogates to its duties and responsibilities towards the Community citizens, ensuring that its work is not stalled regardless of the ravaging pandemic.

Ahead of the opening of the Extra-Ordinary Session would be the Conference of Committees Bureau, a statutory composed of the Bureau chairman and first Rapporteurs of the   fourteen Standing Committees as well as chairmen of the Parliamentary groups, with the mandate of considering and adopting the Draft Agenda and Working programme of the session.

And legitimizing documents to be considered and adopted by the plenary as the meeting is usually convened and chaired by the Speaker of the Community Parliament.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com