The problems of the Economic Community of West African States

PROBLEMS THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
Language barrier

There are three languages that are used for communication within the ECOWAS bloc, that is English, French and Portuguese. For easy communication among members, there is a need for individuals in the region to be able to speak these languages but this is proving too difficult. This has necessitated the use of interpreters to make people understand each other at summit meetings.

Widespread Poverty

Many of the member states of ECOWAS are among the poorest of the poor nations in the world. Many of their citizens earn less than a dollar a day. This, in a certain sense, is preventing real economic integration of the sub-region while many continue to live in squalor and deprivation.

Human Rights Abuses

Another problem of the ECOWAS group is the penchant of the member states to abuse the human rights of their citizens. The human rights records of some member states are nothing to write home about. Champions of human rights abuse have cited member states on many occasions over the abuse of their human rights. Togo was ever cited, Nigeria under Sanni Abacha has ever been cited. This is a problem for ECOWAS.

Financial problems

The aims and objectives of the ECOWAS can only be achieved when the financial base of the community is solid. However, some member states are not able to honour their financial obligations to the community. This is one problem that has bedeviled the community over the years, especially when it comes to the running of the affairs of the community.

Strong External Influence

Many of the member states of ECOWAS were former colonies of some former colonial powers. Countries such as Britain, France, and Portugal ever had a colony or two that now belong to the ECOWAS group. These member states are still controlled, to a certain extent, by their former colonial masters. The influence of these colonial masters, in some cases are so strong that, they are able to determine the direction of their votes at summit meetings on issues that are not in the interest of the former masters.

Single currency 
One of the aims of the community is to establish a monetary union for the entire region. This was aimed at culminating into a single currency for ECOWAS member states. However, the member states have not been able to meet the convergence criteria, all at the same time for the single currency be issued. This has made the attainment of that goal a mirage though efforts continue to be made towards its achievement.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. Highlight six problems faced by the Economic Community of West African States.

2. a. List four organs of the Economic Community of West African States.

    b. Outline five obstacles that hinder the implantation of the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS.

3. Explain six problems facing the Economic Community of West African States

4. a. Discuss three achievements of the Economic Community of West African States.

    b. What three problems does the ECOWAS face?

OBJECTIVE QUESTION ON THE ECOWAS

Test One

1. The objective of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is to

A. promote economic development among member states.

B. achieve African Unity.

C. establish political unification of West Africa

D. eradicate all forms of racism in West Africa.

2. The highest organ of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is the

A. Council of Ministers

B. Secretariat.

C. Tribunal.

D. Authorities of Heads of State and Government

3.  The main focus of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) is the

A. maintenance of peace in troubled spots of West Africa.

B. installation of unpopular governments in West Africa.

C. protection of oil pipelines along the coast of West Africa.

D. promotion of military rule.

4. The administrative Headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is in

A. Banjul

B. Accra

C. Bamako

D. Abuja

5. The primary objective of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is to

A. prevent crimes in West Africa.

B. promote the socio-economic development of member states.

C. control pollution and environmental degradation.

D. promote universal human rights.

6. It is most unlikely for member nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to

A. fuse into one political entity.

B. establish a common customs tariff.

C. have joint development of transport and communication.

D. abolish obstacles to the free movement of citizens.

7. The term ECOMOG means

A. Economic Community of West African Group

B. Economic Community Monetary Group

C. ECOWAS Monitoring Group

D. ECOWAS Movement Group

8. One of the problems of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is that

A. member states do not attend meetings regularly.

B. member states do not have a common currency.

C. some member states want to contribute large amounts to the community.

D. it is a rival to the Organization of African Unity.

9. The first Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States was

A. Diallo Telli

B. Nzo Ekangaki

C. Abubakar Quattara

D. Salim A. Salim

10. The ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was organized to maintain peace in

A. La Cote D'Ivoire

B. Benin Republic

C. Liberia

D. Guinea

Test Two

1. All the following are the aims and objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) except to

A. maintain closer relations with member states.

B. encourage customs union and common market.

C. raise the political consciousness of the people.

D. raise people’s standard of living.

2. Which of the following is not a serious problem of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

A. the economies of member states are not contemporary.

B. member states are primary producers.

C. member states have dependent economies.

D. member states speak different languages.

3. A sub-organization that was formed mainly for economic purpose is the

A. Organization of African Unity (OAU)

B. United Nations Organization (UNO)

C. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

D. Commonwealth of Nations

4. Which of the following Heads of State initiated the formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)?

A. Ahmadu Ahidjo and Paul Biya

B. Yakubu Gowan and Gnasingbe Eyadema

C. Sekou Toure and Siaka Stephens

D. Dawda Jawara and Abdou Diouf

5. The last member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is

A. Niger Republic

B. Sierra Leone.

C. The Gambia.

D. Cape Verde

6. The two countries that jointly promoted the formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were

A. Nigeria and Benin

B. Senegal and La Cote d'Ivoire

C. Togo and Ghana

D. Togo and Nigeria

7. Which of the following is a regional international organization?

A. International Labour Organization

B. United Nations Organization

C. The Commonwealth of Nations

D. Economic Community of West African States.

8. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established

A. 1975

B. 1976

C. 1977

D. 1978

9. One of the following is not an aim of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

A. harmonization of resources of member states for economic development.

B. promotion of socialism.

C. unifying the various tariff systems in West Africa.

D. ensuring free movement of persons and services among member states.

10. Which of the following countries is not a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)?

A. Liberia.

B. Cameroon.

C. Togo.

D. Ghana.

Answers to questions on ECOWAS

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