ECOWAS Makes Statutory Appointments, Approves New Judges, Commissioners and Heads of Community Institutions to Drive Regional Integration By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ushered in a new generation of regional leadership following the approval of statutory appointments into key Community institutions at the conclusion of the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
The appointments, endorsed on the recommendation of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, will fill strategic positions within the ECOWAS Commission, the Community Court of Justice and other specialized Community institutions for the 2026–2030 mandate.
In what observers describe as a significant step towards strengthening regional governance, the Authority appointed five judges to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice. They are Hon. Awa Bah (The Gambia), Mrs. Charlyne M. Brumskine (Liberia), Mr. Désiré Henri Aihou (Benin), Mrs. Henrietta Uzoamaka Didigu (Nigeria) and Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama (Togo).
The regional leaders also approved the appointment of five Commissioners to oversee major policy portfolios at the ECOWAS Commission. Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali of Sierra Leone will serve as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, while Mr. Dehpue Yenpea Zuo of Liberia takes charge of Economic Affairs and Agriculture. Dr. Kalilou Sylla of Côte d’Ivoire was appointed Commissioner for Internal Services, Mr. Amin Amidu Suleiman of Ghana will oversee Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, while Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari of Benin assumes responsibility for Human Development and Social Affairs.
The Authority further renewed the leadership of key regional institutions with the appointment of Dr. Palokinam T. Pitche of Togo as Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), Mr. Mam Cherno Jallow of The Gambia as Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), and Ms. Carla Maria Borges Bettencourt of Cabo Verde as Auditor-General for ECOWAS Institutions.
The appointments are expected to strengthen the operational capacity of ECOWAS institutions as the regional bloc advances its Vision 2050 agenda, with renewed emphasis on peace and security, economic transformation, institutional accountability, infrastructure development, public health and social inclusion across West Africa.
The 69th Ordinary Session was chaired by H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Among those in attendance were H.E. Romuald Wadagni, President of Benin; H.E. José Maria Pereira Neves, President of Cabo Verde; H.E. Adama Barrow, President of The Gambia; H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana; H.E. General Mamady Doumbouya, President of Guinea; H.E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia; H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal; H.E. Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire; H.E. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria; H.E. Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo; H.E. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania; H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission; H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General; H.E. Dr. Lansana Kouyaté, ECOWAS Chief Negotiator; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council; Dr. Abdul Kamara, representing the President of the African Development Bank Group; Amb. Baba Kamara, ECOWAS Special Envoy on Counterterrorism; Hon. Musa Sillah, Chairman of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme Taskforce; and Mr. Mahamadou Gado, representing the President of the UEMOA Commission.
