President Mahama Challenges West African Medical Research Institutions to finding Cure for Ebola Disease

ECOWAS Chairman, President John Mahama has challenged the
Subregional National and Regional Medical Research Institutions to
intensify efforts in finding a cure for the Ebola disease. 

Speaking at the opening of the 45th Ordinary session of ECOWAS which is underway in Accra, President Mahama noted that the high rate of the disease recorded in the sub-region is alarming. 

President Mahama commended the World Health Organisation, Doctors Without Borders and other international organisations for their intervention so far in containing the spread of the disease and called for resources that would speed up the fight against the disease.

"We must do everything within our means and power to defeat this deadly disease, we must exercise vigilance and caution and avoid any panic or misinformation," he added.

President Mahama also announced that the  session will consider
the implementation of a common currency for the sub-region. 

He mentioned the ECOWAS common external tariff which will come into force in January next year.

President Mahama also touched on the community citizens card for
member states. He outlined other issues to be looked at by the
commission.

The President said the biometric identity cards would synchronize the activities and movement of citizens of the member states and called for peace and stability that would pave way for achievement of that objective.

President Mahama also welcomed the role of Algeria, Mauritania
and other countries to bring peace to Mali. 

He acknowledged the increased co-operation from Cameroon and Chad to defeat the Boko Haram
Scourge in North Eastern Nigeria.

GBC