ECOWAS Parliament Adopts 2027 Budget, Work Plan, Sets Regional Priorities By Raymond Enoch
The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted its 2027 Annual Work Plan and Budget Estimates, concluding its Second Extraordinary Session of 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
The session, held from September 21 to 27, brought together parliamentarians to deliberate on critical institutional, economic, environmental and security issues confronting the West African region.
The parliamentary meeting followed the Second Parliamentary Seminar on climate change, environmental degradation, population displacement and growing insecurity across the ECOWAS region.
The programme also featured the swearing-in of new Members, consideration of the report of the 2026 First Ordinary Session and activities of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA).
During the extraordinary session, lawmakers considered reports and resolutions from parliamentary engagements focused on harnessing renewable energy for rural electrification and economic empowerment, tackling irregular migration and human trafficking, as well as strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as formal drivers of regional value chains.
The Parliament also reviewed the mid-term implementation of the 2026 budget and considered the Outcome Document of the Second Parliamentary Seminar before adopting the 2027 Budget Estimates and Annual Work Plan.
Declaring the session closed, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, said the newly adopted programme and budget would provide the institutional framework for the Parliament’s activities in 2027.
She, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the plan would ultimately depend on its implementation and the achievement of measurable results.
The Speaker identified infrastructure, transportation, energy and regional connectivity among the areas requiring sustained parliamentary support, alongside peace and security, democracy and increased participation of women in public life.
Ibrahima further called for stronger follow-up mechanisms to ensure that parliamentary resolutions and recommendations translate into concrete actions across the region.
She expressed appreciation to the Government and Parliament of Ghana, as well as the Ghanaian people, for hosting the parliamentary programme.
The Speaker also commended Members of Parliament, the Secretary General and staff of the ECOWAS Parliament for their contributions to the successful completion of the extraordinary session.
The adoption of the 2027 work plan and budget marks a significant step in setting the Parliament’s institutional priorities for the coming year, with emphasis on regional integration, sustainable development, peace and security and inclusive participation.
