AG to colleagues: Let’s work to promote rule of law, peace and security in ECOWAS

Godfred Dame also called his counterparts to apply all their technical know-how to make sure that the draft Niamey Declaration and Draft Protocol is fined tuned to guarantee the proper delivery of Justice

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has called on his colleagues’ ministers in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region, to join forces to promote the rule of law, peace and Security within the sub-region.

Dame made the call when he addressed the opening ceremony of a high-level experts meeting of Ministers of Justice in West Africa today (8 December) at the Western Premier Airport hotel in Accra.

The three-day summit in Ghana marks the commencement of work on the Niamey Declaration of September 2018, which established a Platform to evaluate, facilitate exchanges and consultations between Ministers of Justice and judicial experts in the region.

“Terrorism and violent extremism are growing threats across Africa, with serious implications for peace and security everywhere. In the Sahel, terrorist groups regularly attack local and international security forces”.

“This is not just a regional issue, but a clear and present danger to global peace and security” Godfred Dame stated.

“The Niamey Declaration and the establishment of a Platform for Ministers of Justice in the region could not have come at a more opportune time”.

“The Niamey Declaration must be seen as a Zero Draft. It is my expectation that members will critically look at the issues and freely comment on the content so that we can come up with an improved document which will serve the purpose of the sub-region” he added.

Apply Technical Prowess

Attorney General, Godfred Dame, in his remarks, called on his colleagues to apply all their technical know-how to make sure that the draft Niamey Declaration and Draft Protocol is fined tuned to guarantee the proper delivery of Justice within the ECOWAS sub region.

“It is my hope that the high level experts assembled here will apply their knowledge and experience to shaping the documents we have before us i.e. the Draft Niamey Declaration and Draft Protocol” Godfred Dame said.

“I have no doubt that the next two days will foster the spirit of our renewed commitment to ending impunity, ensuring access to justice and human rights in the West Africa sub-region” the Attorney General added.