Senior Partner at AB & David Africa, Ofosu-Dorte, has criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for appointing Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its chairman, attributing the decision to the subsequent withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the bloc.
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM on February 10, 2025, Ofosu-Dorte argued that the appointment was a miscalculation, exacerbating tensions within the region and prompting the three Sahelian nations to exit ECOWAS. He asserted that their departure was directly linked to Tinubu’s stance on military intervention following the Niger coup.
“ECOWAS made a mistake by appointing Tinubu as chair a month after he took office as president, and that is what led to the three Sahelian countries pulling out. His statement about invading them was the final push. It was an error, which we are still paying for,” Ofosu-Dorte remarked.
Tinubu was appointed as ECOWAS chairman in July 2023, shortly after assuming Nigeria’s presidency. His selection was viewed as a strategic move to leverage Nigeria’s economic and geopolitical influence. However, his tenure quickly became controversial, particularly due to his strong advocacy for military intervention in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso following coups in the region.
His firm stance, combined with economic sanctions and invasion threats, sparked backlash from several member states, leading to criticism of ECOWAS’ handling of the situation.
Ofosu-Dorte further warned that Ghana could face economic repercussions if the three Sahelian states do not return to ECOWAS. He highlighted Ghana’s critical trade relationship with these landlocked nations, which heavily rely on Tema Port for imports and exports. Their exit, he noted, could significantly impact Ghana’s economy by reducing cargo flow through its ports.
