The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally endorsed Ghana’s petition to the African Union (AU) seeking institutional intervention following recent xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama welcomed the regional bloc’s unanimous backing. He called on continental leaders to resist anti-immigrant sentiment, warning that xenophobia threatens the shared history of African solidarity and cross-border unity that drove the continent’s liberation movements.

Mahama highlighted Ghana’s deep concern over the recurring violence in South Africa, which has resulted in loss of life—including Ghanaian and Nigerian citizens—while leaving many foreign workers in state-driven uncertainty and fear. The ECOWAS endorsement marks the first collective sub-regional agreement supporting Ghana’s request to have the issue formally deliberated at the upcoming AU Mid-Year Summit.

Addressing wider regional priorities, Mahama emphasized the need for member states to effectively implement existing sub-regional protocols to advance the proposed ECOWAS Compact and foster deeper integration. On continental peace and security, he cautioned that economic progress remains tied to stability, urging stronger joint frameworks among ECOWAS, the AU, and international partners to counter rising terrorism and violent extremism.

He also stressed the importance of investing in science, technology, and artificial intelligence to build long-term global competitiveness, concluding that the legitimacy of democratic governance depends on delivering tangible, everyday benefits to citizens across communities.