By Bakary Touray Jnr.
The Gambian leader H.E. Adama Barrow has underlined that peace and security continue to be the basis for sustainable development.
In officiating the opening ceremony of the ongoing Parliamentary Seminar on the Evaluation of Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, with Focus on the Implementation of the Strategic Plan and the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the Parliament, being hosted in The Gambia,
President Barrow on Thursday, 23rd January 2020, told his audience the theme of the seminar could not have been more relevant. And that, as representatives of the citizens of the sub-region, it is necessary that at the end of a legislative term, the ECOWAS parliament review and evaluate its performance and the implementation status of the ideals and goals of integrating the economies and peoples of our region, as envisioned by the founding fathers of the Organisation.
The Gambian leader believed that’s particularly critical, as the vision and emphasis of the Community is shifting from an ‘ECOWAS of States’ to an ‘ECOWAS of Peoples.’
“With this in view, all the programmes and activities of the Community should be people-centred. For this reason, it is most fitting for you to evaluate the progress towards ensuring that the People of the Community enjoy and appreciate the benefits of sub-regional integration,” Gambia’s President told his audience comprising Legislators from different ECOWAS countries, including the Speaker of the sub-region Parliament itself, and senior government officials of The Gambia.
“It is best practice to review your performance and results to be accountable to the community you represent. This will justify the investments and resource inputs for your activities, thus making this meeting imperative,” he encouraged the sub-regional Parliamentarians.
Barrow reminded them that Parliaments in functional democracies enjoy constitutionally guaranteed powers to make laws for good governance.
He continued, “The dynamics of modern democracy now extend the scope and functions of Parliaments to regional bodies seeking to improve integration and cross-border trade among member states.” ECOWAS has recorded noticeable milestones; but, irrespective of the achievements registered, it’s obligatory to examine the challenges confronting the Community and its institutions.
According to the President of Gambia, “It is for this reason that your decision to review the Fourth Legislature of the Parliament is fundamental.”
The revised ECOWAS Treaty of 1993 and the volume of other protocols, conventions and agreements, he noted, show that Member States obviously have an understanding of the pathway to regional economic integration.
The Gambia’s chief executive further told the ceremony: “Peace and security continue to be the basis for sustainable development; thus, considerable policy improvements and implementation frameworks stand to enhance peace, security and socio-economic development in the region.”
