(a) State two objectives of the Economics Community of West African States (ECOWAS). (b) Identify four problems hindering the achievement of the objectives ...

(a) Objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):

1. To promote economic cooperation and integration among member states, leading eventually to an economic union and a common market.
2. To encourage free movement of people, goods, services and capital across member states and raise the living standards of West Africans. (Also: to maintain regional peace and security.)

(b) Problems hindering the achievement of ECOWAS objectives:

1. Language and colonial differences: The mix of English, French and Portuguese speaking states hinders communication and unity.
2. Political instability: Coups, civil wars and insecurity in member states disrupt cooperation.
3. Poor transport and communication links between member states limit trade.
4. Inadequate funding and smuggling: Non-payment of dues, differing currencies and widespread smuggling weaken the community.

(c) Ways the problems can be solved:

1. Adopt a common working language and improve translation to ease communication.
2. Promote good governance and maintain a peace-keeping standby force to ensure stability.
3. Improve inter-country roads, railways and communication to boost trade.
4. Ensure prompt payment of dues, adopt a common currency and check smuggling to strengthen the union.