ECOWAS holds meeting to elect new chair

Some West African leaders have arrived in the country for today’s [Tuesday] meeting of ECOWAS leaders.

The meeting will discuss elections in member countries, security related matters and the handling of the Ebola crisis.Today’s meeting will also see to the election of a new ECOWAS Chairman to replace President John Mahama.

President John Mahama, who had chaired the Authority since March 2014, had his tenure extended last December during the 46th Ordinary Session of the Authority of the Heads of State.

President Mahama, as the chair of the ECOWAS, had overseen successful elections in Nigeria and Togo and also brokered a peace pact in Burkina Faso after protests broke out in Ouagadougou in 2014 when Blaise Compoare amended the constitution to make him eligible to stand for another term.

He was also instrumental, joining forces with the international community to fight the deadly Ebola virus which killed thousands in the West African subregion.

Ghana accepted to set up a staging post in Accra to serve as the central point for sending vital medical supplies and personnel to Ebola-affected countries in West Africa.

Road closure

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has announced the closure of some major roads in the Accra.

The Liberation Road from Accra towards Tetteh Quashie Interchange will be partitioned into two with traffic from Accra using the outer lane and the dignitaries taking the inner, from 6am to 2pm.

According to a statement signed by Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur “after 2pm the arrangement will shift to the other lane from Opeibea House to AU Circle, with motorists plying the outer lane and dignitaries using the inner.”

He added that Police personnel will be deployed at vantage points to assist road users.

He however gave the assurance that adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a successful summit.

He also entreated the general public to co-operate with the Police for the success of the event and also to reduce traffic congestion.

By: Sammy Wiafe