The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) came into being

• A.through the combined efforts of Gambia Ivory Cost and Liberia
• B.to promote economic growth and development through freer and expanded trade between its members
• C.to enable the sixteen member states surrender their sovereignties to a supranational regional community
• D.to help the poorest countries in the region catch up with the richer one
• E.to establish mutual defence and security arrangements between members