The Ecowas Commission on Monday held a formal welcome and send-off ceremony at its new headquarters in Abuja for incoming and outgone statutory appointees and heads of Ecowas institutions following the completion of the outgone leadership’s four-year tenure.
During the event, General Birame Diop of Senegal officially assumed office as the new president of the commission, succeeding Dr Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia. Mr Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria also succeeded Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja of Togo as vice president.
The new incoming statutory appointments include Dr Kalilou Sylla (Côte d’Ivoire) as Commissioner for Internal Services; Ms Francess Piagie Alghali (Sierra Leone) as Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Mr Dehpue Yenpea Zuo (Liberia) as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture; Mr Amin Amidu Sulemani (Ghana) as Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation; Prof Nassirou Bako-Arifari (Benin), Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Ms Carla Maria Borges Bettencourt (Cabo Verde)as Auditor-General for Ecowas Institutions; Dr Palokinam Pitche (Togo) as Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (Waho); and Gambian Mr Mam Cherno Jallow as Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (Giaba).
In his farewell address, the outgone president, Dr Touray, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on the achievements of his four-year tenure, stressing that the outgoing leadership was leaving behind “not only memories, speeches and decisions” but also “a record” of institutional and regional accomplishments.
In his inaugural address, the new president Retired General Birame Diop, called for renewed unity, solidarity and mutual respect as the foundation for advancing regional integration and strengthening the effectiveness of the Ecowas Commission. He urged staff and stakeholders to work collectively to build a united, cohesive and efficient institution capable of responding to the aspirations and challenges of the West African region.