Explain any five obstacles working against the achievement of the objectives of ECOWAS

Answer Details

Five obstacles working against the achievement of the objectives of ECOWAS

1. Language and colonial barriers: Member states are divided into English-, French- and Portuguese-speaking blocs with different colonial ties and loyalties, which makes cooperation and integration difficult.
2. Differences in currencies: The member countries use different currencies (naira, CFA franc, cedi, etc.), and the absence of a single currency hinders trade and free flow of payments within the region.
3. Loss of customs revenue: Many members depend heavily on import and export duties for government revenue, so they are reluctant to remove tariffs on goods from fellow member states as free-trade requires.
4. Political instability and mistrust: Frequent coups, wars, border disputes and mutual suspicion among leaders disrupt cooperation and the implementation of agreed protocols.
5. Production of similar goods: Most member states produce the same primary products (such as cocoa, groundnut and crude oil) and therefore have little to trade among themselves, competing instead for the same overseas markets.

(Other valid obstacles: poor transport and communication links between member states; smuggling and illegal trade; over-dependence on developed countries outside the region; and non-payment of financial contributions by members.)