President Akufo-Addo who doubles as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has called on his colleague Heads of State to contribute their best during deliberations to ensure that they deal decisively with the political situation in Guinea.

President Akufo-Addo in his opening statement as chairperson of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) at the opening ceremony of the extraordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and government, today the 16th of September 2021 said is confident that the leaders will rise to the occasion as they have done in the past.

“We are required to take informed decisions on these matters that would have long term consequences to the stability and the defence of democratic values of our region. I count on you your Excellencies to help proffer durable solutions to the crisis. I am confident that as in the past, we will rise to the occasion” ECOWAS Chair, President Akufo-Addo said.

Participation & Agenda

Overall, eight (8) Presidents, one (1) Vice President and three (3) Foreign Ministers, bring the total to twelve (12) Heads of State and governments are attending the ECOWAS extraordinary summit.

As part of the agenda for the meeting, ECOWAS heads of State and government will receive and give consideration to the Report of the High-Level Mission to Republic of Guinea which was led by the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional and Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

They will also be presented with an update on the transition in the Republic of Mali by the ECONAS Mediator on Mali, H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Heads of State would then deliberation on the reports and issue a final communique

High-Level Mission

The High-level four-member mission appointed by ECOWAS Heads of State to assess the political situation in the republic of Guinea included Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

It comprised, Jean Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alpha Barry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Burkinabè Abroad and Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad.