The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims at promoting co-operation and integration, to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability, foster relations-among Member States and contribute to the progress and development of the African continent.
It also has an objective of harmonizing and co-ordination of national policies and the promotion of integration programmes, projects and activities like transport.
John Kofi Annan a Pan-Africanist laments about corrupt activities in various immigration points within ECOWAS states.
The leadership coach issued a stern warning to the officers saying those who will be asking for money without issuing official receipts or invoice to show the money was deposited into a government account will face the full force of law.
“To all Presidents in Africa, especially those in ECOWAS, the next time your various immigration officials will take money from me to stamp my passport is the last time forever. And if it is by law to take money, they should prepare an invoice or receipt which shows the money was paid into a government account,” he wrote.
He promised to fight back especially on road travels, threatening to stage protests all over Africa. He questioned that Africa is a community like Europe so if European Union members don’t need a visa to travel to other member states, why should ECOWAS members apply for a visa before I can visit another African country?
The entrepreneur went on to reveal that the implementation of free movement of people and goods is only on paper especially for those who are travelling by Road, “pass between Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Nigeria, then you will understand how frustrated it is for people to move in our community.”
“What is the benefit of holding a community passport which cannot grant me free movement into another country in the same community? Until this is solved the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement will also become a paper thing. We need an action now,” he said
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