The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in cooperation with the European Union and the German government, held the second Steering Committee meeting of the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) project in Accra.
The high-level workshop served as a strategic platform to review the implementation of the project’s first year and to formally adopt the 2026 work plan, which aims to strengthen regional stability and human security.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Abdulfatah Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, delivered an inspiring keynote address that challenged traditional models of international aid.
The Commissioner stressed that in an era where global multilateralism faces mounting pressure, relations between the European Union and ECOWAS must evolve into a “mutually beneficial cooperation” built on mutual respect and shared ownership.
He urged participants to reflect carefully on whether ECOWAS remains “an actor, a recipient, or a partner,” emphasizing that project priorities must be derived directly from ECOWAS’ strategic needs in order to avoid any disconnect between regional realities and partner-driven initiatives.
He also specifically called for the removal of barriers that hinder ECOWAS’ access to direct funding and emphasized the need to focus collective efforts on operationalizing the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force to address violent extremism and maritime insecurity.
Reinforcing this spirit of partnership, representatives from the European Union Delegation and the German Embassy, who co-chaired the meeting, reaffirmed their continued commitment to the stability of the region.
The German Embassy highlighted the importance of a coordinated European response, noting that the EPSG project represents a unified effort to support West African-led solutions.
The European Union delegation also reiterated that the project’s success will be measured by its ability to deliver tangible and sustainable results that enhance the security of ECOWAS citizens. The delegation welcomed the Danish government as a new contributor, further strengthening the project’s governance and regional presence.
The EPSG project, which runs from 2024 to 2027 with a total budget exceeding €29 million, is jointly funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with additional support from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project is implemented through a technical partnership involving Germany.