APPRAISING THE LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORKS OF ECOWAS FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIO-POLITICAL INTEGRATION OF WEST AFRICA

Abstract

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a multinational regional organization whose establishment was primarily inspired by the motivation to promote economic collaboration and advancement across West African countries. This is reflected in ECOWAS founding and subsequent Treaties. In recognition of the significance of good governance, security and stability to the economic development and progress of the region, ECOWAS Treaties and Protocols also made provisions for the promotion of political stability and collective security in the region. In previous years, ECOWAS recorded commendable achievements particularly in the maintenance of political stability and security, while striving to facilitate economic acceleration in the region. Currently, the contrary seems to be the case as the region has become a hub for political instability, the violation of democratic principles, military intervention in government, economic depreciation and insecurity. The relevant question now is: to what extent has ECOWAS actually achieved its objective of promoting economic integration and development, political stability and regional security in West Africa? This work will examine the efforts made by ECOWAS to galvanize economic prosperity and socio-political synergy in the region. The major setbacks and limitations of ECOWAS will also be highlighted and pragmatic recipes for the actualization of the ECOWAS objectives will be prescribed. This research will be of utilitarian value to policy and opinion molders, government of West African states, ECOWAS institutions, researchers, public affair analysts, scholars and the general public. The research will, among other things, demonstrate how ECOWAS can be revolutionized into a formidable alliance and how the bloc can be transformed into an economic and political force to reckon with, while emerging as a result-oriented institution that is worthy of emulation by other regional blocs in Africa and beyond. Doctrinal approach of data collection is adopted here comprising of primary and secondary sources including ECOWAS Treaties, Protocols, journals, books and other relevant publications from the internet source. It is recommended that ECOWAS countries must demonstrate political will and commitment towards achieving national economic development as the vibrancy of the domestic economies of ECOWAS countries is indispensable to ECOWAS economic growth, regional integration, security and socio-political stability.