By: Kemo Kanyi
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an induction ceremony for 10 ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) Council Members.
The event was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in The Gambia on Wednesday.
The council members are: Mr. Antoine SileteAgbadome (Benin), Dr. Mor Bakhoum (Senegal), Mr. Humberto Santos De Brito (Cape Verde), Mr. Adama Diomande (Ivory Coast), Dr. Sami Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Biva Ouro Doni (Togo), Mr. Banding Sillah (The Gambia), Dr. Juliette Twumasi-Anokye (Ghana), Mr. Leonard OtuonyeUgbajah (Nigeria) and Mr. Joao Bernardo Vieira (Bissau).
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Framework aims to guarantee conditions for fair and equitable competition for all market players to secure deeper regional integration.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, president of ECOWAS Commission, said the commission recognises the need for a regional framework that can serve as a catalyst for economic growth within the bloc.
‘’The establishment of ERCA is part of our broader strategy to promote trade, innovation, investment and sustainable economic development. The decision taken by Heads of State and Government in December 2008 to provide the region with a competition policy and an agency responsible for its implementation within the regional market was a decisive step in the right direction. This is with the overall objective of improving consumer welfare and greater progress,’’ the ECOWAS president said.
He informed the gathering that the initiative is a complementary framework to other regional initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the Customs Union, and the Investment Policy.
‘’This will help to address the regional challenges such as higher concentration of exports, barriers to competition, and persistence of the informal sector in enhancing intra-community trade and regional value-chain development,’’ Dr. Touray added.
Nani Juwara, minister for petroleum on behalf of the minister for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Baboucarr O. Joof, said ERCA embodies a shared vision for sustainable economic development, consumer protection, and promotion of innovation across member states.
Juwara explained that the body is tasked to eliminate anti-corruption practices, impose sanctions, and compensations due to infringement or violation of competition rules.
While acknowledging the diverse economic landscape of the ECOWAS region, the minister stated that ‘’promoting competition is not only about promoting rules but creating an environment where businesses can thrive, fostering innovations, and empowering consumers to make informed choices”.
“The body must prioritize level playing field where businesses can compete based on merits rather than privilege,’’ he underscored.
Jawara further called for an unwavering commitment, transparency, accountability, and fairness in all endeavours to ensure the success of the initiative.
‘’We must also ensure that our actions promote regional stability and foster an environment conducive to foreign and domestic investment,” he underlined.