Legal expert and Senior Partner at AB & David Africa, David Ofosu-Dorte, has criticised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for appointing Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its chair, arguing that the decision played a key role in the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the bloc.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Breakfast Show on Monday, February 10, Ofosu-Dorte described Tinubu’s appointment as a strategic error, stating that his inexperience as a newly elected president led to a confrontational approach in handling regional crises, particularly the coup in Niger.
“ECOWAS made a mistake by appointing Tinubu as chair just a month after he took office as president. His statements about invading Niger directly influenced the decision of the three Sahelian nations to withdraw,” he asserted.
Tinubu, who took over as ECOWAS chair in July 2023, quickly faced a major test when a military coup ousted Niger’s elected president. Adopting a hardline stance, he pushed for military intervention to restore constitutional rule—a position that deepened divisions within ECOWAS. The threat of invasion drew sharp resistance from Mali and Burkina Faso, both governed by military juntas, eventually leading the three Sahelian states to sever ties with the regional body.
Ofosu-Dorte stressed that the departure of these nations is not just a political setback but also carries significant economic consequences, particularly for Ghana.
“The Sahel countries rely on Ghana’s ports for trade, and their withdrawal from ECOWAS will impact regional commerce. Ghana, as a key transit hub for landlocked countries, will see reduced cargo traffic through the Tema port,” he explained.
With the Sahel bloc now strengthening its own regional ties outside of ECOWAS, Ghana and other coastal nations could face disruptions in trade flows and economic partnerships. Ofosu-Dorte urged policymakers to reassess Ghana’s diplomatic strategy to mitigate the potential fallout.
