Policy Implications of Ecowas in Regional Development

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Policy Implications of ECOWAS in Regional Development is an analytical study of the policies and programs impeding the transformation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) into a cohesive entity. What is questionable throughout this book is the specific paradigm of regional integration adopted by West African countries similar to the European Union; but which is not working as envisaged. A linear textbook model demonstrates an integration to do with the preoccupation with tariff liberalization, as not being the most effective means of addressing the challenges of smallness, marginalization and under-development in West Africa. The fundamental issue and underlying problem in West Africa is that of economically, socially and politically weak states. These weak states lack the institutional capacity to make and effectively implement policies and regulations meant to drive the integration process. More to these assertions are that there is much evidence of strong political commitment to regional integration, but very poor performance on the implementation of commitments; that is, there is no political will to commit to regional integration.