Written by Peter Clottey | From Voice of America

Heads of State and government in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plan to meet at an extraordinary summit in the Ghanaian capital, Accra on Friday, following an invitation from President John Dramani Mahama, who is also chairman of the West African regional bloc.

High on the agenda will be discussions about implementing measures to ensure the region’s peace and stability following the abduction of over 200 Nigerian school girls by Boko Haram Islamist militants about five weeks ago, as well as the ongoing violence carried out by the group.

President Mahama recently paid an official visit to Nigeria and expressed the regional bloc’s solidarity and support to help the administration in Abuja to combat the militants. Mahama says the destabilization of Nigeria by the extremists constitutes the destabilization of the entire region.

Ghana’s presidential spokesperson, Ben Dotse Malor says the leaders will also focus on issues that will bolster regional and multilateral cooperation.

“They will have discussions on some issues of mutual and urgent concern, particularly concerning the sub-region of West Africa,” said Malor.

He says Mr. Mahama is committed to peace and security in the region following his recent election as chairman of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state at their last summit in Ivory Coast’s capital, Yamoussoukro. Malor also says the leaders will discuss strengthening economic cooperation among member states in the region.

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