Ghanaian taxpayer not saddled with entire cost of ECOWAS@50 launch — Ablakwa

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Ghana is not bearing the full cost of the 50th anniversary launch of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The event was held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Tuesday, April 22.

It was attended by the President of Nigeria and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ablakwa, who is also the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, said the cost of the launch is being shared by all ECOWAS member states.

The Minister, who was known for criticising government expenditure on such events while in opposition, further explained that the cost of the two-day Extraordinary Council of Ministers Meeting — scheduled to take place immediately after the launch — is also being shared.

“For those who might be wondering how this grand launch fits into President Mahama’s exemplary leadership of austerity, may I place on record that funding for the ECOWAS@50 launch has been a shared responsibility.

“Financing this launch and the two-day Extraordinary Council of Ministers Meeting has been almost entirely covered by ECOWAS member states. The Ghanaian taxpayer, therefore, has not been saddled with the entire cost of this event,” he said.