Security Analyst Andrews Asiedu Tetteh has firmly defended the continued relevance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasizing the necessity for the organization to sustain its operations.
However, he strongly advised the regional body to adopt a proactive and decisive stance, significantly intensifying its efforts to ensure stability, security, and economic progress within its member states.
Mr. Tetteh argued that ECOWAS remains a vital institution in the landscape of modern-day politics and governance on the continent.
His comments were made in response to a direct inquiry regarding the contemporary relevance of ECOWAS and whether it has successfully met its foundational objectives since its establishment. In his assessment, Mr. Tetteh noted that despite acknowledged shortcomings, ECOWAS maintains its status as an indispensable entity that must continue its work to guarantee peace and security in West Africa.
The analyst’s remarks were prompted by the declaration of a region-wide state of emergency by ECOWAS following a failed coup attempt in Benin over the weekend.
ECOWAS declared this state of emergency across the West African region in light of the recent surge in coups and unsuccessful military mutinies.
The announcement was formally delivered on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council, held at the ministerial level in Abuja.
President Touray stated that the recent events underscore the “urgent need to reflect on the future of our democracy and to strengthen the security of our community.”
Andrews Asiedu Tetteh specifically commended ECOWAS for the swiftness with which the body addressed the immediate issue.
The analyst reiterated the need for member states to avoid actions that could easily incite unconstitutional political transitions within their respective countries.
Mr. Tetteh advocated strongly for job creation, accountability, and transparency, stressing that leaders must be accountable to the people and foster economic opportunities.
He emphasised the importance of respecting human rights and dignity by upholding fundamental freedoms.
He also pushed for strict adherence to term limits, asserting that leaders must step down peacefully when their constitutional term of office expires, without resorting to parliamentary maneuvers for extensions.
Most significantly, Mr. Tetteh proposed a structural security reform, advising that the current system where the military often serves as the core, standalone protection force in African countries must be re-evaluated.
He argued for the implementation of a joint forces security system, suggesting that the military, police, and other state security forces in African countries be thoroughly integrated and mixed. This, he believes, would introduce a level of complexity that makes it substantially more difficult for a single military faction to successfully stage a coup.
“We must commend ECOWAS for the action; however, they have to be proactive. Our countries and leaders must be accountable to the people, create jobs for the people, and, most importantly, they should not abuse office by extending their term and abusing the rights and dignity of people. When these coups started, ECOWAS should have taken immediate steps in preventing others. But it is better late than never,” he stated.
“There is also one sure way of preventing coups, or making it difficult to occur. The security details in African countries are often solely soldiers, and that alone makes it much easier to stage a coup. I have argued that it is important for our countries to initiate a new system where the security details would be mixed in order to make it difficult for the military to stage a coup.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana