ECOWAS@50 Book Retreat, Institutional Focal Points to Chronicle Five Decades of West African Integration.
By Raymond Enoch
In a major step toward documenting the five-decade journey of regional cooperation, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has convened a four-day retreat in Accra, Ghana, aimed at producing a landmark publication commemorating its 50th anniversary.
Dubbed the “ECOWAS@50 Book Retreat,” the event—running from July 7 to 10, 2025—gathers institutional focal points, regional experts, and communication specialists to collectively shape “ECOWAS 360 Degrees,” a commemorative volume chronicling ECOWAS’ evolution, achievements, and enduring challenges in fostering regional integration.
Organized by the Directorate of Communication of the ECOWAS Commission, the retreat is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union, and technically implemented by GIZ.
In her keynote address, H.E. Mrs. Damtien L. TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, underscored the strategic and symbolic importance of the publication.
“The book we conceptualize here will serve as a living document that contextualizes our evolution, highlights our achievements, critically examines our challenges, and articulates our aspirations for the future,” she said. “It will be a guide for our youth, a resource for universities, a tool for civil society, and a reference for our partners—thereby advancing our strategic goal of enhancing ECOWAS’ visibility and fostering informed engagement with our citizens.”
The upcoming publication will not only serve as a historical record but also as an inclusive platform to engage West African citizens and partners in the shared narrative of ECOWAS’ journey. It will reflect the diversity, dynamism, and resilience of the community, highlighting milestones in peacebuilding, economic development, political cooperation, and cultural unity.
Also speaking at the opening, Lilian Seffer, representative of the German Embassy in Ghana, praised the initiative as a vital narrative project.
“The retreat marks the beginning of the ECOWAS 360 Degrees publication that highlights the achievements and impactful journey of ECOWAS over the past 50 years. It will also showcase ECOWAS as the uniting pillar in West Africa for regional integration, economic prosperity, peace, and stability,” she said.
Participants from across ECOWAS institutions will contribute insights, documentation, and perspectives that enrich the narrative scope of the publication. The initiative seeks not only to inform but also to inspire future generations to build upon the foundation laid over the past 50 years.
As the regional bloc looks ahead to the next chapter of integration, “ECOWAS 360 Degrees” aims to stand as both a tribute and a tool—bridging the past with future aspirations, and uniting stakeholders in a shared vision of West African unity and development.
