ECOWAS AS MECHANISM FOR COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

ECOWAS AS MECHANISM FOR COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

Abstract:

The problem of this research is to identify the factors militating against ECOWAS as a mechanism for the growth and development of cooperation and integration in West Africa. The study seeks to identify and examine the development policies and mechanisms of the ECOWAS Community in order to make recommendations to accelerate the pace of cooperation and integration on the path to sustainable growth and development in the West African sub-region. Specifically, the objectives are to; identify the ECOWAS policies/strategies for integrating the countries of West Africa and to assess to what extent the policies and activities of ECOWAS have impacted on trade, employment, peace and security within the Community. The research methodologies adopted in this study are both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The data was collected through primary sources such as a questionnaire field survey, interviews and secondary sources like books, library materials, journals, periodicals and government publication etc. The analysis of the data for this study was done using tables and descriptive statistics (such as simple percentages). The various comments and responses were used to corroborate the data from the secondary source. The findings of the study shows that the majority of Community citizens support ECOWAS because since its establishment in 1975, the organization has achieved substantially the integration of the countries of the sub-region, that ECOWAS has had a positive impact on community development, cooperation and improved cross-boarder traffic within the region. The findings of the study revealed that ECOWAS policies such as trade liberalization have had positive impacts on trade, youth employment, peace and security within the community. The implications of the study is that if the member states are dedicated to the policy framework of corporation and integration as pursued by ECOWAS, there would be an acceleration of cooperation and integration in West Africa with its attendant benefits on economic development, peace and security.

ECOWAS AS MECHANISM FOR COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT