The President of United States Africa Command, Ghana (AFRICOM), Mr Abednego Orstin Rawlings, says the selection of West African leaders as chairpersons of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) is not a strategic move.
He therefore advised ECOWAS to change the current arrangement when the term of office of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu Ahmed, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ends.
He proposed that the position of ECOWAS chairman should be given to noble professionals who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour.
Mr Orstin Rawkings said the position should also be rotated.
“The Chairman or Chairperson must be any West African who should be elected as Chairman or chair-person to lead the affairs of the Economic Community of West African States,” he said; According to him, the body can become well recognized and properly managed when the Chairman or Chairperson is not a president.
According to Mr. ORSTIN, West Africa is replete with individuals who have the potential to become leaders or chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
To restore sanity and scrutiny to these presidents, or to enable them to serve their noble people with integrity, such scrutiny should be conducted.
“Despite West Africa’s abundance of natural resources, it has been devastated by self-centeredness and poor leadership,” he said
“Despite Her Excellency Madam Sirleaf Johnson being the inaugural female President of West Africa and possessing divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, these male presidents did not appoint her as ECOWAS Chair.” Why?” Mr. Orstin quizzed
He likened the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to a pyramid: the further down the presidency, the more powerful one becomes; this progression has resulted in numerous coups within the sub-region. However, at this time, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) no longer requires a President to be chairman.
He categorically stated that the current architecture of ECOWAS won’t allow for a female president to chair it describing it as discrimination.
“Henceforth, successful business executives or career diplomats from West Africa must serve as Chairman or Chairperson of ECOWAS, rather than presidents. Look at how the United Nations, European Union, and other World bodies nominate their Chairmen or Chairpersons” he said.
Numerous eminent former military generals and qualified women from West Africa possess the qualifications necessary to serve as Chairman or Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure the region’s prosperity and security.
According to Mr. Orstin, in order for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to function effectively, every position must be accompanied by a vice or deputy, and vice or deputy positions must be filled by women serving as monitors or checkers. This will undoubtedly increase the efficacy of the organization among Africans and demonstrate to West African presidents that their positions are temporary opportunities to govern good people and not their personal fortunes; thus, coup d’état will cease without a doubt.
Stop making presidents ECOWAS chairpersons – AFRICOM Prez advises
The President of United States Africa Command, Ghana (AFRICOM), Mr Abednego Orstin Rawlings, says the selection of West African leaders as chairpersons of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) is not a strategic move.
He therefore advised ECOWAS to move away from that practice when the term of office of His Excellency Bola Tinubu Ahmed, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ends.
He proposed that the position of ECOWAS chairman should be given to noble professionals who have excelled in the various fields of endeavour.
Mr Orstin Rawkings said the position should also be rotated among the most qualified experts who can ensure good governance and stability in the sub-region.
“The Chairman or Chairperson must be any West African citizen who can be elected as Chairman or chairperson to lead the affairs of the Economic Community of West African States,” he said.
According to him, ECOWAS can become more recognized and properly managed when the Chairman or Chairperson is not a president.
To restore sanity and scrutiny to these presidents, or to enable them to serve their noble people with integrity, such scrutiny was necessary to ensure checks and balances.
“Despite West Africa’s abundance of natural resources, it has been devastated by self-centredness and poor leadership,” he said.
“Despite Her Excellency Madam Sirleaf Johnson being the inaugural female President of West Africa and possessing divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, his male counterparts never appointed her as the ECOWAS Chair.” Why?” Mr. Orstin quizzed.
He likened the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to a pyramid: the further down the presidency, the more powerful one becomes.
“This progression has resulted in numerous coups within the sub-region. However, at this time, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) no longer needs a President as its chairman.
He categorically stated that the current architecture of ECOWAS would not allow for a female president to chair, it describing it as discrimination.
“Henceforth, successful business executives or career diplomats from West Africa must serve as Chairman or Chairperson of ECOWAS, other than presidents. Look at how the United Nations, European Union, and other world bodies nominate their chairmen or chairpersons,” he said.
Numerous eminent former military generals and some qualified women from West Africa possess the qualifications necessary to serve as Chairman or Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure the region’s prosperity and security.
According to Mr Orstin, in order for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to function effectively, every position must be accompanied by a vice or deputy, and that the vice or deputy positions must be filled by women serving as monitors or checkers.
This will undoubtedly increase the efficacy of the organization among Africans and demonstrate to West African presidents that their positions are temporary opportunities to govern the good people and not to seek their personal fortunes.
That, he said, will be the solution to the rampant coup d’états in the sub-region.
