Ghanaian president, Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated that the
implementation of common currency for ECOWAS member states cannot be
rescheduled beyond 2020.
Speaking at the fifth meeting of the Presidential Task Force on the
ECOWAS single currency programme in Accra, Akufo Addo maintained that
the single currency is strongly tied to the economic well-being of
sub-region.
“We remain determined to have a single currency which will help
remove trade and monetary barriers, reduce transaction cost, boost
economic activity and raise the living standard of our people. It is a
goal, we must achieve,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo stated that it is important to remove hurdles that will impede the smooth introduction of the currency.
“In this regard, I urge ECOWAS member states to renew their
commitment in the ratification and implementation of the relevant ECOWAS
protocol, such as the protocol of the free movement of persons, goods
and services, the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme, and the Common
External Tariff,” he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo stated that with the growing population of the
sub-region it will be prudent to implement the common currency to
enhance trading among ECOWAS member states.
In attendance at the meeting were the President of Cote d’Ivoire,
Allassane Ouattara; President of Niger, Issoufou Mafiamadou, President
of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, President of Niger, Governor of the Central
Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele among others.