ACCRA, GHANA-The Authority of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS has mandated the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) to intensify efforts regarding the mobilization of partnership, for the production of Anti-COVID Vaccines in the region.

The Authority charged the President of the Commission to work with Member States and WAHO on the modalities to accelerate the reopening of land borders in a safe manner during the pandemic.

Such move, the ECOWAS Authority said, must be in line with the ECOWAS Harmonized Guidelines for Free Movement of People and Goods during pandemics.

In a communiqué at the close of the 59^th Ordinary Session, the Authority reaffirmed the need to strengthen ECOWAS humanitarian interventions and coordination with relevant humanitarian actors.

The ECOWAS Authority also reaffirmed its determination to relentlessly combat the scourge of terrorism, and strongly condemned the recurrence of terrorist attacks in frontline countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.

In the wake of the negative growth on the regional economy in 2020, the ECOWAS Authority welcomed the recovery announced in 2021, with a projected GDP increase of 3.5 percent in 2021.

It urged Member States to accelerate the implementation of economic stimulus program and projects, to support the ongoing recovery process.

Meanwhile, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has re-elected Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, as Chairman for another one year term.

The ECOWAS leaders have since expressed sincere appreciation to Chairman Nana Akufo-Addo, for his leadership in in steering the affairs of the Community.

The Heads of State and Government will hold its next Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday, December 18, 2021.