President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will use\u00a0the opportunities available to create a prosperous life for its citizens.<\/p>\n
He was however<\/span> quick to add that prosperity for the sub-region can only be accomplished \u201cif we have peace and security.\u201d<\/p>\n President Mahama therefore pledged the commitment of ECOWAS heads of states to strive in the attainment of peace and security for the development of the sub-region.<\/p>\n Addressing the opening of the 45th ECOWAS summit in Accra, President Mahama, who doubles as the ECOWAS chairman disclosed that significant efforts are being made to ensure regional integration.<\/p>\n This he said was evident in the fact that ECOWAS citizens can now travel within the sub-region without visas.<\/p>\n He made mention of the introduction of the biometric identity cards for ECOWAS citizens which is to help improve the free movement of goods and citizens across West Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also making progress in the implementation of the ECOWAS common external tariff which<\/span> will come into force from January 1, 2015,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The ECOWAS chairman advised sub-regional heads of state to adequately inform their citizens especially<\/span>, importers \u201cto become strong stakeholders and advocates in the implementation of the common external tariff.\u201d<\/p>\n He called on border officials to take the necessary legal steps to eliminate all bottlenecks which will hinder trade and commercial activities within the region.<\/p>\n President Mahama listed the \u201cmultiplicity of legal and illegal checkpoints and barriers, lengthy inspection time, documentation requirement plus costly delays regardless of whether documentation<\/span> is complete or not\u201d as practices which \u201cundermine the competitiveness of our sub-region\u2026<\/span>and constitute a disincentive in doing business.\u201d<\/p>\n Regarding the biometric ID cards for ECOWAS citizens, President Mahama indicated that the cards will aid easy identification and verification.<\/p>\n He expressed the hope that residents in the sub-region will enjoy \u201call the opportunities opening up in our member states.\u201d<\/p>\n The ECOWAS chairman welcomed the role Algeria and Mauritania are playing to bring peace into Mail and also acknowledged the \u201cincreased cooperation from Cameroon and Chad to defeat the Boko Haram in North-Eastern Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n The summit will discuss the interim report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission and will also take a look at updates on the security situation in the sub-region.<\/p>\n The outbreak of the Ebola virus in some West African states will also be considered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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