ECOWAS @50: Ghana  offers 1,000 scholarships to tertiary students across ECOWAS sub regions – President Mahama asserts

President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama says Ghana is set to offer  1,000 scholarships to tertiary students from ECOWAS member states  to pursue higher education in various universities.

According to him, this decision is aimed at strengthening regional ties  among the Economic Community of West African States,(ECOWAS) member states.

Delivering his speech at the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee celebration held in Accra on April 22, 2025, he said the scholarship programme is not “just a gesture”,  but demonstrates solidarity.

“To mark this  moment and strengthen regional bonds,  Ghana is offering a thousand scholarships to tetiary students from across the ECOWAS sub regions,  to study in our universities. This is not just a gesture. It is an act of solidarity. It is a bridge to a future where our young people will grow up seeing each other as foreigners but as partners” he emphasized.

He thus called for unity, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the ECOWAS’s vision, the values of peace.

“As we look to the next 50 years, Let unity and solidarity lead us. Let that be our guide on how we respond to insecurity,  how we manage our diversity and how we build our prosperity together.  Ghana reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the ECOWAS’ vision and to the values of dialogue, peace and partnership that sustain us.” He noted.

Emphasizes the importance of reflection on the collective journey and renewing commitment to principles of unity, peace, and diplomacy;

President Mahama further discussed ECOWAS’s reputation as a trusted

mediator in conflict prevention and resolution, citing examples like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia etc.

“Ecowas was born out of spirit of bold diplomatic engagement in 1975, our family founded faced with fragmented economies and fragile political landscapes, chose the path of cooperation over competition and rivalry. Their vision was clear. It was one to pursue our development not as isolated nations but as a united community. Since then, ECOWAS has grown to become a key diplomatic and political force in Africa through consistent engagement, dialog and mediation, our community has earned a reputation as a trusted arbiter  in conflict prevention and resolution.” President Mahama narrated

“whether it has been in restoring peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone, in guiding the Gambia through a difficult political transition, or preventing electoral crisis in Cote d’ivoire, Togo, Ecowas has proven that, African solutions through African diplomacy can and do well.” He added.

Stressed the importance of protecting and deepening ECOWAS’s legacy in the face of new challenges.