ECOWAS leaders say the integration of economies of member states to Europe and America is the cause of the region’s poor economic growth.
They made this known at the Fiftieth ordinary summit of Authority of Heads of States and Government.
Statistics show that Ivory Coast and Ghana alone account for about 60 percent of the world’s cocoa production while Guinea Bissau and Senegal boast of 40 percent of the world’s cashew production.
But West African leaders worry this has yet to translate to viable economy for the region.
They hing the slow economic growth and widespread poverty in the region on volatile international prices.
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They are unanimous that building industries and diversifying the economies of member states as against the integration of the region’s weak economy to that of Europe and America is the way out for West Africa
While the leaders are keen in resolving the political crisis in the troubled countries, they are also disturbed with the recent terrorists attack on a military base in Burkina Faso.
They look forward to a lasting solution to all intractable crises troubling the region.