(a) List four Organs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). (b) Outline...
(a) List four Organs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
(b) Outline four obstacles that hinder the implementation of the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS.
Explanation
(a) Organs of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) are:
(i) The Authority of Heads of State and Government.
(ii) The Council of Ministers
(iii) The Executive Secretariat.
(iv) The Tribunal of the Community.
(v) The Technical and Specialised Commission.
(b) The obstacle that hinders the implementation of the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS are:
(i) Poor infrastructures in member states.
(ii) Political instability in member states.
(iii) Inadequate human and material resources in the sub-region.
(iv) Polarization of member states of ECOWAS into Anglophone and Francophone blocs.
(v) Affinity to former colonial masters
(vi) Fear of domination of the smaller states by the bigger members.
(vii) The reluctance/inability of some member states to contribute their dues.
(viii) Difference in languages has greatly militated against the efficient functioning of the community.
(ix) Uneven development of member states
(x) Absence of a common currency
(xi) Foreign intervention in the domestic affairs of member states.
(xii) Border disputes e.g. Ghana/Togo, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
(xiii) Refugee problem.
(xiv) Production of similar products inhibits inter-state trade.