Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 31 May 2017 / No comments
The problems of ECOWAS
PROBLEMS THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
Language barrier
There are three languages used for communication within the
ECOWAS bloc - English, French and Portuguese. For easy communication among
members there is the need for individuals in the region to be able to speak
these languages but this is proving to be difficult. This has necessitated the
use of interpreters to make people understand each other at summits of the
Community.
Widespread Poverty
Many of the member states of ECOWAS are among the poorest of
the poor nations in the world. Many of their citizens earn less that a dollar a
day. This, in a certain sense is preventing real economic integration of the
sub-region while many continue to live in squalor and deprivation.
Human Rights Abuses
Another problem of the ECOWAS group is the penchant of the
member states to abuse the human rights of their citizens. The human rights records
of some member states are nothing to write home about. Champions of human
rights abuse have cited member states on many occasions over their human rights
abuse. Togo was ever cited, Nigeria under Sanni Abacha has ever been cited. This
is a problem for ECOWAS.
Financial problems
The aims and objectives of the ECOWAS can only be achieved
when the financial base of the community is solid. However, some member states
are not able to honour their financial obligations to the community. This is
one problem that has bedeviled the community over the years, especially when it
comes to the running of the affairs of the community.
Strong External Influence
Many of the member states of ECOWAS were former colonies of
some former colonial powers. Countries such as Britain, France and Portugal
ever had a colony or two that now belong to the ECOWAS group. These member
states are still controlled, to a certain extent, by their former colonial
masters. The influence of these colonial masters, in some cases, is so strong
that, they are able to determine the direction of their votes at summit
meetings on issues that are not in the interest of the former masters.
Single currency
One of the aims of the community is to establish a monetary
union for the entire region. This was aimed at culminating into a single
currency for ECOWAS member states. However, the member states have not been
able to meet the convergence criteria, all at the same time for the single
currency to be issued. This has made the attainment of that goal a mirage,
though efforts continue to be made towards its achievement.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Highlight six problems faced by the Economic Community of
West African States.
2. a. List four organs of the Economic Community of West
African States.
b. Outline five
obstacles that hinder the implantation of the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS.
3. Explain six problems facing the Economic Community of West
African States
4. a. Discuss three achievements of the Economic Community of
West African States.
b. What three
problems does the ECOWAS face?
