The Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, Lansana Kouyate says the organization cannot maintain Dr George Adjah Sikpah Yankey as President of the ECOWAS Bank. He noted that the use of legal means to challenge the termination of Dr Yankey’s appointment will have no effect on the sub-region. This is because ECOWAS enjoys diplomatic immunity and is insulated from any form of legal action as enshrined in the ECOWAS Protocol.
Mr Kouyate made it clear that as far as ECOWAS is concerned, “the matter is closed and the Chairman of the authority in consultation with other members has advertised the position.” He made these known in an interview with newsmen at the Castle, Osu after a courtesy call on President Kufuor.
He revealed that the position has already been advertised by ECOWAS among its member states to enable their governments to put forward competent nationals to compete for it. In view of that, Mr Kouyate said, ECOWAS would not respond to a writ of summons served it by the Nigerian Court in connection with the termination of Dr. Yankey’s appointment.
The provisions of ECOWAS empower government’s to recall or withdraw recognition for such nationals whose appointments had hitherto been supported by the same governments. He explained that the position was not the preserve of Ghana, hence the decision to advertise the position for a fresh appointment to be made. However in an interview with JOY FM, Dr Yankey noted that he is not he is not deterred by Dr Kouyate’s statement.
According to him, whether or not he remains an employee of the Bank has to be interpreted by the court of law adding tha he will persue the legality of the stance taken against him by the sub-regional grouping.
Source: GhanaWeb
