Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 31 March 2016 / No comments
The functions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government
THE AUTHORITY OF
HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
Composition
The Authority of Heads of State and Government is the highest organ of the Economic Community of West African States. The authority comprises all Heads of State and Governments of member states.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
The Authority of Heads of State and Government is the highest organ of the Economic Community of West African States. The authority comprises all Heads of State and Governments of member states.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
General
Direction and Control
The general direction and control of the Economic Community of West African States is provided by the Authority of
Heads of States and Government. It is the body that adopts appropriate policies for the development of ECOWAS sub-region.
Determination of
Major Guidelines
The
Authority of Heads of State and Government determines the policy and
guidelines of the Community. It also co-ordinates the various policies
of the member states to ensure uniform development in the various fields
such as social and economics, science, culture, etc.
Supervise ECOWAS
Institutions
The
Authority supervises the activities of the various institutions
established by the community, to make sure they function properly and
follows up to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Community are
implemented to the letter.
Appoints
President of the ECOWAS Commission
According
to the ECOWAS treaty, a commission must be set with a president heading
it. The president of that Commission, so established, is appointed by
the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Refer cases to
the Community Court of Justice
Legal
actions could be taken against a member state of the community for
failure to honour her obligations. The same thing could be done to any
institution of the community, if it acted beyond the powers granted it
under the treaty of ECOWAS. It is the the responsibility of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government to refer such legal matters
to the Community Court of Justice.
Request for
Legal Advice
If
the Authority is faced with any legal problems or how to deal with the
legal implication of any of their decisions, it is the responsibility of
the Authority of Heads of State and Government to request the Community
Court of Justice for its legal opinion
on the matter.
SAMPLE QUESTION
1. a. Describe
the composition of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
b. Highlight five functions that are
performed by the Authority.
2. Which six
functions are performed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government?
