ECOWAS BUILDING ECOWAS Presents Biometric IDs, Awards Founding Fathers

 By Chikelu Chinelo
Marking the achievements of the Economic Community of West African States since its inception 40 years ago, Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, presented to the Authority of the Heads of State and Government, specimens of the new ECOWAS Biometric ID Cards scheduled for launch on January 1, 2016. Ouedraogosaid the region recorded another significant political integration with the biometric cards. While announcing that the distribution of the card will commence on the 1st of January, 2016, he emphasized that “It is the responsibility of each member state to issue the ECOWAS Biometric ID Cards to it citizens”. He said that the single biometric identity card replaces residential permit, and abolishes the use of visas to encourage free movement of people in the region. “With the single identity card you can travel all throughout the region”, Ouedraogo enthused.

Alongside other landmark achievements to enhance regional integration, Ouedraogo listed the commission’s success with the Customs Union through the establishment of Common External Tariff, the adoption of ECOWAS passport, and the establishment of the Community Parliament and Court of Justice. As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, ECOWAS conferred honorary awards and plaques to four founding fathers of the organization. Receiving plaques were Former Military Head of State of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and the sole civilian awardee Koffi G.G. Djondo. President of the Republic of Togo, Faure EssozimnaGnassingbe received the honorary award plaque in place of his father, the late former President of Togo, General Gnassingbe Eyadema.