Pursue policies aimed at sub-regional economic integration — Ms. Eva Mends to West African leaders

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance, Madam Eva Mends, has called on West African leaders to pursue policies aimed at sub- regional economic integration to withstand recurrent shocks and provide opportunities for the African youth.

Addressing the 53rd meeting of the technical committee of the member states of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) in Accra on Monday, she hinted that, it was imperative for the sub-West Africa group to emulate other blocks that had demonstrated the value of economic integration for its people.

‘’Indeed, our location, common history and ecology predetermines that our economic security and destiny is rooted in integration,’’ she stated.

According to her, with West Africa's young population of around 430 million expanding at a rate of 2.5 percent per year, it was critical for leaders to ensure sub- regional economic policy integration to avoid regional security risks caused by unemployment and stalled human development.

‘’It has been argued that weak economic performance and inequitable development is at the heart of these instabilities. Therefore, to increase opportunities for peoples of the region and build economic resilience to recurrent shocks, we must urgently and deliberately pursue the economic integration of our sub-region and rake in the extensive benefits for our peoples,’’ she added.

She further disclosed that the Ghana Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana in collaboration with the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), the West Africa Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), and the West Africa Monetary Institute (WAMI) would host the 2023 Mid-Year Statutory meetings of the West African Monetary Zone.

“The meetings would include comprehensive review of Macroeconomic Developments and Convergence reports for member states and assess the progress made toward meeting the primary and secondary criteria required for macroeconomic convergence within the zone” she added.

​The West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is composed of six member states: The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Its organizational structure includes the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the WAMZ, the Convergence Council, the Committee of Governors and the Technical Committee. These meetings are hosted by Member States of the WAMA and WAMZ on a rotational basis.