ECOWAS: Let’s Use Sustained Dialogue and Diplomacy to Restore Cohesion- Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has suggested that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resort to sustained dialogue and diplomacy to restore cohesion in the bloc.

Addressing heads of state and visiting officials at the launch of the bloc’s 50th Anniversary, the Ghanaian President said the old age isolation and recrimination punitive measures have over the years proven to be ineffective.

This he said while referencing the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc.

“We must respond not with isolation or recrimination but with understanding dialogue and a willingness to listen and to engage.”

Outlining Ghana’s measures to sustain relations with the three countries that are now led by the military, he affirmed its commitment to bridge the differences and help relit the fabric of West African Unity.

“We believe that through sustained dialogue, patient diplomacy and principled negotiation, we can restore cohesion and rebuild trust in our community. This period calls for even greater solidarity and understanding for the difficult challenges that our brothers in the Sahelian states.”

According to him, diplomacy is not only about solving disputes, it’s about creating the conditions for peace, inclusion and progress.

He stated that diplomacy covers fostering mutual respect and advancing our common interests.

“In this regard, I have a commitment to integration through diplomacy must extend to economic, social and cultural dimensions whether we are harmonising trade negotiations, facilitating free movements of our people, or championing education cooperation, our diplomatic instrument must always work in the service of our people.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini