By Kebba AF Touray
The Auditor General (AG) of ECOWAS, Joao Alage Mamadu Fadia, has called for the need for a rigorous, independent and results-oriented oversight of ECOWAS’ institutions in the face of complex regional challenges.
AG Fadia made the call last Wednesday, 21 May 2025, while speaking at the ongoing first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to AG Fadia, the invitation of the regional parliament to the session reflects the recognition of the central role occupied by the Office of the Auditor General in the institutional architecture of our community, and reaffirms their commitment to serve their common mission, as Auditor General of ECOWAS Institutions. He commended the collaboration between the regional institutions, which he said has enabled them to effectively conduct in-depth audits within several departments of the regional parliament over the years. This, he said, has resulted in significant improvements in the internal control systems, especially in the area of strengthening governance and transparency.
Despite the improvements, AG Fadia detailed that challenges still remain, especially with parliament’s information systems, where progress remains modest, and their audits continue to highlight the need for strategic reforms that can ensure greater efficiency and accountability.
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS’ Region integration, we face a complex global environment marked by rising protectionism, declining international cooperation and declining official development assistance. Furthermore, the recent withdrawal of three Member states from the community poses a major challenge, particularly with revenue mobilisation through the community levy,” Auditor General Fadia lamented.
In this context, he called for rigorous, independent and result-oriented oversight to become even more crucial, adding that it is a fundamental tool designed to ensure sound management of community resources, improve operational efficiency, preserve institutional integrity and above all, strengthen public confidence in their institutions.
Guided by these principles, AG Fadia assured that the Office of the Auditor General remains resolutely committed to carrying out its mission with utmost independence, professionalism, and integrity.
“We are determined to continue our close collaboration with all ECOWAS institutions to strengthen internal control systems and to improve the economy with efficiency, and with the effectiveness of community interventions,” he told the ECOWAS Parliament.
He said this commitment is fully in line with ECOWAS’ Vision 2050 as well as the “4×4” Strategic Objectives for the period 2022–2026, as defined by the current leaders.
He also assured that they are ready and willing to contribute significantly to the achievement of these strategic objectives by promoting good governance and realising ‘our’ shared aspirations for a prosperous and integrated region. He said it is “only by working together that we can build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for all citizens of the Community,” urging the need for the region to join hands together and strengthen their collective resolve to uphold the fundamental values of transparency, accountability and integrity, all of which form the foundation of strong institutions worthy of the trust of the citizenry. To illustrate this, AG Fadia concluded by recalling the words of the late Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations: “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.”
