AKUFO-ADDO ON ECOWAS: The European Union has worked only because the political leadership of France and Germany decided to make it work. The talk today might be of bureaucrats in Brussels being the power behind the EU but the truth of the matter is without the belief and determination of the political leadership, the EU dream would have remained just that, a dream! I suggest that Nigeria must provide that leadership. Nigeria must provide the political leadership and passion to translate the ECOWAS dream into reality. You have the numbers, you have the economic muscle and dare I say that you owe it to the region. Once the political will is evident, visionary leaders in Medicine, Science, Technology, Industry, Business, Law and all other professions can then work together to make ECOWAS a true regional market. Throughout the ages our traders and celebrated market women in particular have always managed to conduct trading activities throughout the region, but they have done so in spite of the difficulties put in their way by governments and officialdom. Political leaders must encourage such visionary entrepreneurs to look first to our region and then to build transparent, competitive relationships that can and should accelerate our development. The possibilities are endless. Just a small example: think with me for a moment about the prospects of Ghana selling $2 billion worth of salt to Nigeria and the ripple effects such a simple commodity, which Nigeria now imports from other continents can have on our economies.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 12:01:24 +0000