President John Dramani Mahama announced at the launch of the ECOWAS@50 Anniversary Celebration in Accra that, Ghana would be offering 1,000 scholarships to tertiary students from across the ECOWAS sub-region to study in Ghanaian universities.
He said this is to promote regional integration and development through education and youth empowerment.
President Mahama emphasized that the scholarships are a gesture of solidarity and a bridge to a future where young people in West Africa see each other as partners.
“Ghana stands ready to serve as a bridge to help re-knit the fabric of West African unity, we believe that through sustained dialogue, patient diplomacy, and principled negotiation, we can restore cohesion and rebuild trust in our good community,” he said.
The ECOWAS@50 launch event, held under the theme “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future,” brought together leaders and dignitaries from across the West African bloc to reflect on the achievements of the regional body and chart a new path for peace, security, and prosperity.
The scholarship program is part of Ghana’s commitment to fostering unity, cooperation, and capacity building within the sub-region as ECOWAS marks its golden jubilee.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, also emphasized the importance of building on ECOWAS’ past achievements to forge a more integrated and stable future.
“The next chapter of ECOWAS must be built on the foundation of past successes and consolidate gains in peace and security, while deepening economic and political integration,” he said.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the progress the regional body has made, stating that ECOWAS remains “the most integrated community in Africa.”
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a message delivered by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Madam Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, praised President Mahama’s leadership.
She said under your stewardship, Ghana remained a beacon of democratic governance, economic progress, and regional solidarity,” the message read.
“Your efforts in championing the upliftment of our dear region through diplomacy, collaboration, and tireless transformative policies deserve our most profound appreciation,” she said.
