Mahama’s mediation role between ECOWAS and the Sahel states is ‘not out of place’ – Dr. Ishmael Hlovor

As Ghana prepares to host the official launch of ECOWAS’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, renowned International Relations Expert, Dr. Ishmael Hlovor, has endorsed the efforts of former President John Dramani Mahama in mediating between ECOWAS and the breakaway Sahel states, describing the move as “not out of place.”

Dr. Hlovor, speaking to ABC News on Thursday, defended Mahama’s outreach to the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—who recently exited ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). According to him, Ghana cannot afford to isolate itself from its Sahelian neighbors, particularly when “we share a border with Burkina Faso,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of the region.

“The president is trying his best as a mediator,” he said. “It’s not only the ECOWAS agenda the president is pursuing but also Ghana’s national interest.” He explained that Ghana cannot distance itself from them, especially regarding trade and other economic exchanges it has with these countries.

Dr. Hlovor’s comments come in the wake of an official invitation extended by President Mahama to the leaders of the three Sahel states to attend the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary launch in Accra on April 22. The invitation, announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa at a press briefing on Thursday, is seen as a critical gesture aimed at mending regional fractures and rekindling dialogue amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in West Africa.

“The invitation to the Heads of State from the Sahel bloc is a step towards building bridges,” Ablakwa told journalists. “It is a collaborative effort to strengthen the West African sub-region.”

Ghana, a founding member of ECOWAS and a historical champion of Pan-African unity and regional integration, has been chosen to host the launch event at the Accra International Conference Centre. The ceremony will unveil the 50th-anniversary logo and declare the official theme for the Jubilee year. It also sets the stage for a series of commemorative events across the region throughout 2025.

Following the launch, Ghana will host an Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers from April 22 to 23, where foreign and finance ministers will deliberate on pressing regional matters—including the seismic withdrawal of the Sahel states from ECOWAS earlier this year.

Analysts say Mahama’s quiet diplomacy and strategic positioning may help thaw tensions and potentially lay the groundwork for reintegration talks. Dr. Hlovor agrees.

“If President Mahama is able to bring them closer—if not back to ECOWAS—then it’s a significant achievement not just for the bloc but also for Ghana,” he concluded.

The coming week is expected to test the region’s unity, but Ghana’s leadership, both past and present, appears poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of West African cooperation.

By Ruth Sekyi