ECOWAS AS MECHANISM FOR COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
ECOWAS AS MECHANISM FOR COOPERATION AND INTEGRATION IN THE WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGION: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
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Date
2011-04
Authors
ENUJEKOR. C, ANTHONIA
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Abstract
The problem of this research is to identify the factors militating
against ECOWAS as a mechanism for the growth and development of
cooperation and integration in West Africa. The study seeks to
identify and examine the development policies and mechanisms of
the ECOWAS Community in order to make recommendations to
accelerate the pace of cooperation and integration on the path to
sustainable growth and development in the West African sub-region.
Specifically, the objectives are to; identify the ECOWAS
policies/strategies for integrating the countries of West Africa and to
assess to what extent the policies and activities of ECOWAS have
impacted on trade, employment, peace and security within the
Community. The research methodologies adopted in this study are
both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The data was
collected through primary sources such as a questionnaire field
survey, interviews and secondary sources like books, library
materials, journals, periodicals and government publication etc. The
analysis of the data for this study was done using tables and
descriptive statistics (such as simple percentages). The various
comments and responses were used to corroborate the data from the
secondary source. The findings of the study shows that the majority
of Community citizens support ECOWAS because since its
establishment in 1975, the organization has achieved substantially
the integration of the countries of the sub-region, that ECOWAS has
had a positive impact on community development, cooperation and
improved cross-boarder traffic within the region. The findings of the
study revealed that ECOWAS policies such as trade liberalization have
had positive impacts on trade, youth employment, peace and security
within the community. The implications of the study is that if the
member states are dedicated to the policy framework of corporation
and integration as pursued by ECOWAS, there would be an
acceleration of cooperation and integration in West Africa with its
attendant benefits on economic development, peace and security.
Description
A Research Project submitted to the
Department of Political Science, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria in partial Fulfillment for the
Award of Masters Degree in International
Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD)
APRIL, 2011
Keywords
ECOWAS,, MECHANISM,, COOPERATION,, INTEGRATION,, AFRICAN,, SUB-REGION,, CRITICAL,, ASSESSMENT