Open Access

Daniel Obizoba Mozie

• In this project we have tried to diagnose the basic problems in the ECOWAS institution which was created as a strategy in itself that guarantees economic growth. We have however argued that even if aIn this project we have tried to diagnose the basic problems in the ECOWAS institution which was created as a strategy in itself that guarantees economic growth. We have however argued that even if a regional organization succeeds in achieving a deeper economic integration, it does not automatically translate into an economic growth. This is because growth enhancing variables differ from integration enhancing requirements. We have however posited that whereas sustainable economic growth strengthens regional economic integration, the latter does not always guarantee economic growth. This is because the removal of customs duties, though certainly an important feature in market expansion strategy, may become ineffective if the other growth enhancing variables and the preconditions for their efficiency are non-existent. Furthermore, Robert Lawrence (1996) observes that in many cases, once tariffs are removed, complex problems remain because of differing regulatory policies among the member states. As a result, it requires coordination to be able to create a convergence of interests both in the decision-making and in the implementation. Where such coordination mechanism is non-existent or inefficient, no degree of intergovernmental cooperation can wield the collective strength to face the challenges of international competition. However, one interesting fit demonstrated by the German Zollverein was the ability of its leader, Prussia to carry out the coordination programme selflessly, to the advantage of all the members. We have also tried to employ a method in strategic Management in the evaluation of a regional organization. By so doing we have been able to show that basic strategic Management principles can equally always be used in the strategic planning of any organization - be it profit organization or non profit one. The main focus is to determine the right goals and strategies, in the face of the existing gap to be covered.Bearing in mind that no regional organization can make it alone, we have made effort to take the ECOWAS interests round the world, with the aim to explore the challenges facing ECOWAS in the new world order, so as to enable us arrive at the right strategies that can guarantee ECOWAS success in spite of all the risks in its external environment. In the process of commenting on the situations of the ECOWAS’s world environment, we have also tried to make some recommendations as we pass through the organizations in the global environment. In some cases we have also managed to highlight some lessons relevant for the ECOWAS regional organization.In light of all the existing circumstances, one should not fail to recommend that ECOWAS needs to fast-track its integration program to the level of a common market, or at best a monetary union, so as to be able to set up common policies for collective sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, ECOWAS should try as much as possible to avoid any further borrowing from the international creditors, especially such credits that are linked with the IMF reform policies which are detrimental to the growth of any country that does not have the prerequisites for economic self-reliance like technical progress and physical capital accumulation.…