The Authority of Heads of State and Government of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has re-elected President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as its Chairman for another one-year term.

President Akufo-Addo's term was unanimously renewed by the 14 Heads of State and Government at the end of the 59th Ordinary Session of the Authority held in Accra last Saturday, 19 June 2021.

President Akufo-Addo was first appointed chairman of the 15-member ECOWAS by the 57th Ordinary Session of the Authority in September 2020.

He replaced President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, who had served in the same capacity for a year.

President Akufo-Addo and President Issoufou were also appointed as champions of resource mobilisation for the ECOWAS Plan of Action and directed the ECOWAS Commission to strengthen resource mobilisation efforts, taking advantage of their appointments.

The 59th Ordinary Session also discussed a number of issues, including integration efforts, the COVID-19 situation, peace, security and democracy in the region, the political situation in Mali, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and border issues.

A communiqué issued at the end of the summit, noted that the next ordinary session has been slated for Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday, December 18, this year.

“The Heads of State and Government express sincere appreciation to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his leadership in steering the affairs of the community,” the communiqué added.