Liberia ratifies 32 ECOWAS protocols

The Liberian Legislature has ratified 32 protocols of the Economic Community of West Africa or ECWAS, becoming the first country in the sub-regional group to ratify all ECOWAS protocols.

Making the disclosure recently at the 2nd session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria, under the gavel of Representative Jefferson Kanmoh ,Third Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Montserrado County Representative Edwin Melvin said as of August, 2-16, Liberia is in full compliance with all protocols which includes payment of arrears and the current monthly assessment, collection, lodgment and remittance of the levy proceeds as of August 30, 2016.

The Liberian lawmaker intimated that during their session in Abuja, it was recorded at the end of April 2016; Liberia had the highest number of ungratified protocols and conventions amounting to 32.

According to him, in their report to the parliament, Liberia as a country regretted the situation and pledged to institute immediate corrective interventions. “Having worked with the executive branch and with the assistance of the Technical Working Group of the ECOWAS Chairperson Coordinating Committee, we have redeemed that pledge.

We are pleased therefore, to report to you that on Thursday, September 15, 2016, Liberia by the concurrent actions of both the honorable House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate ratified all of the remaining 32 ECOWAS Protocols and Conventions all of which have been signed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, printed into handbill and herewith domesticated,” Rep. Snowe told his colleagues at the ECOWAS Parliament.

He also informed the parliament about the holding of Presidential and Representative elections scheduled for October 2017 as major political event that needs the support of ECOWAS and all stakeholders.

He added that the process has begun to generate some momentum as the National Elections Commission announced the official registration of 22 political parties. Snowe explained that the NEC and other registered political parties have institutionalized the inter-party consultative committee, a framework through which disagreements are to be addressed and dialogue fostered.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Jonathan Browne