WorldStage– The ECOWAS Parliament has linked deeper regional integration with stronger conflict prevention, urging member states to remove barriers to mobility while addressing the land, climate and economic pressures driving displacement and insecurity across West Africa.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hajia Memounatou Ibrahima, made the call against the backdrop of the ongoing Second Extraordinary Session and Parliamentary Seminar in Accra, where she met Ghana’s Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
Ibrahima commended Ghana for entrusting its vice presidency to a woman, saying the development sends a strong message on women’s leadership and provides inspiration for young girls across the region.
She said the Parliament’s 25th anniversary had also provided an opportunity to advance key integration priorities, particularly the harmonisation of curricula and mutual recognition of academic qualifications among member states.
The Speaker said recognition of qualifications obtained in Lomé, Abuja or Dakar in other ECOWAS countries would strengthen free movement and advance the vision of an “ECOWAS of the Peoples.”
Also speaking at the session, Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, warned that the region must learn from Nigeria’s experience with farmer herder conflicts and internal displacement.
Barau, whose presentation was delivered by Senator Sadiq Umar, attributed the conflicts partly to growing pressure on land and water resources, while calling for stronger early warning systems, climate adaptation, investment in ranching and livestock development, and coordinated conflict-prevention measures.
He urged ECOWAS lawmakers to strengthen legislation and oversight on displacement, security, agriculture and livestock management, stressing that the region must focus on preventing conflicts rather than merely responding to their humanitarian consequences.The interventions highlight the Parliament’s push for an integrated ECOWAS where freer movement, stronger institutions, inclusive leadership and preventive action on emerging conflicts reinforce regional peace, resilience and development.
