Guinea Marks 50 Years of ECOWAS with Culture, Cuisine, and Calls for Reform.
By Raymond Enoch:
The Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has continued to gain currency. On the heels of this , that on the 4th of June 2025, the Republic of Guinea hosted a vibrant cultural and grand style event in Conakry to celebrate (ECOWAS) at 50
The event was jointly organised by the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Guinean authorities, and ambassadors of member countries.
The celebration honoured the establishment of ECOWAS on 28 May 1975 in Lagos and was held under the patronage of Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Morisanda Kouyaté. It brought together distinguished guests, including H.E. Mr Louis Blaise Aka-Brou, ECOWAS Resident Representative, and Mr Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel.
In their addresses, dignitaries reflected on ECOWAS’s progress in regional integration, free movement of people, and peacekeeping efforts. They also emphasized the need for institutional reforms to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness.
The evening concluded with live cultural performances, a tasting of traditional West African cuisine, and the ceremonial cutting of an anniversary cake—symbolising five decades of unity and cooperation across West Africa.
