ECOWAS Leaders Travel in Luxury While West Africa’s Roads Are in Dust

West Africa, a region marked by vibrant cultures and immense potential, faces a jarring contradiction at the heart of its political and economic landscape. While ordinary citizens navigate perilous, crumbling roads that claim tens of thousands of lives each year, the region’s leaders often traverse the skies in private jets, attending high-level summits and international meetings in comfort and luxury. This stark disparity raises urgent questions about governance priorities, public accountability, and the future of infrastructure development in West Africa.

Luxury in the Skies: The ECOWAS Leadership Example

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is tasked with fostering regional integration, economic growth, and stability. However, recent events have cast a spotlight on the disconnect between the lifestyles of its leaders and the daily realities of their constituents.

A notable example is Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who faced widespread criticism for flying a private jet to attend the 66th ECOWAS Summit in Abuja, Nigeria. This decision drew accusations of hypocrisy and poor judgment, especially given Boakai’s previous condemnation of his predecessor for similar extravagance. Activists and citizens alike questioned the justification for such lavish expenditure amid Liberia’s ongoing economic struggles, including shortages in medical supplies, surging youth unemployment, and thousands of students unable to attend school due to financial constraints1.

“Flying a private jet amid extreme hardship and unemployment is ultra vires to ‘RESCUE.’ Wrong decision. Poor economic judgment. Waste of public resources. Bad optics.”

• Martin K. N. Kollie, Liberian activist1

The controversy was further fueled by calls for transparency regarding the cost and funding of the trip. Critics argued that such expenditures only deepen public distrust and do little to address the pressing needs of the population1.

The State of West Africa’s Roads: A Crisis in Plain Sight

While leaders travel in comfort, the majority of West Africans contend with some of the world’s most dangerous and poorly maintained roads. The statistics are alarming:

• Nearly 85,000 lives are lost annually to road crashes in West Africa, with over 1.2 million more suffering injuries. The economic cost to the region is estimated at $36.9 billion each year3.

• West Africa has one of the highest rates of road fatalities globally, with the road traffic death rate at 26.6 per 100,000 people-significantly higher than the global average of 18.2 per 100,0004.

• In 2020 alone, road traffic fatalities in West Africa exceeded 10,000, with Nigeria accounting for more than 6,000 deaths, making it one of the most dangerous countries for road users in the region4.

Key Factors Behind the Road Crisis

• Poor Infrastructure: Many roads, especially in rural and less developed areas, are riddled with potholes, lack proper signage, and are devoid of pedestrian walkways and lighting4.

• Weak Law Enforcement: Traffic laws exist but are often poorly enforced, with corruption and lack of resources undermining safety efforts4.

• Unsafe Vehicles and Overloading: Public transport vehicles are frequently overloaded and poorly maintained, increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents4.

• Rapid Urbanization: Population growth and urban sprawl have outpaced infrastructure development, leading to congested and hazardous roadways4.

The consequences are not just measured in lives lost but also in the stunted economic growth and deepened poverty that result from inadequate transportation networks.

Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability

The contrast between the luxury enjoyed by ECOWAS leaders and the daily struggles of their citizens has not gone unnoticed. Civil society groups, activists, and ordinary citizens are increasingly vocal in their demands for greater accountability and a reorientation of national priorities.

Many argue that the funds spent on private jets and other luxuries could be better invested in critical infrastructure projects, such as road repairs, school funding, and healthcare improvements. The optics of leaders flying in comfort while the majority travel in dust and danger only fuel public frustration and erode trust in government institutions1.

Efforts Toward Safer Roads: Progress and Challenges

Recognizing the scale of the problem, some regional initiatives have begun to address road safety and infrastructure development. The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance road safety standards across the region3.

Key aspects of this partnership include:

• Capacity-building for road safety professionals

• Comprehensive road safety assessments

• Development of investment plans to upgrade high-risk roads

• Sharing of knowledge, technology, and best practices3

If successfully implemented, these efforts could save nearly 31,000 lives and prevent almost 10 million deaths and serious injuries by 2030, delivering an estimated annual economic benefit of $12.9 billion to the region3.

The Way Forward: Prioritizing People Over Prestige

The ongoing dichotomy between leadership luxury and public hardship is not just a matter of optics-it is a question of values and governance. Addressing West Africa’s road crisis requires a fundamental shift in priorities:

• Redirecting Resources: Governments must prioritize investments in road infrastructure and maintenance, ensuring that funds are allocated to projects with the greatest impact on public safety and economic development.

• Transparency and Accountability: Leaders should be transparent about travel expenditures and set an example by minimizing unnecessary luxuries, especially in times of economic hardship1.

• Strengthening Institutions: Effective law enforcement, anti-corruption measures, and robust regulatory frameworks are essential to improving road safety and public trust4.

• Community Engagement: Civil society must continue to hold leaders accountable and advocate for policies that reflect the needs of ordinary citizens.

Conclusion

The image of ECOWAS leaders soaring above the clouds in private jets while their citizens navigate hazardous, dust-choked roads is a powerful metaphor for the broader challenges facing West Africa. Bridging this gap requires more than symbolic gestures; it demands concrete action, responsible leadership, and a renewed commitment to the public good. Only then can the region hope to transform its roads from corridors of tragedy into pathways of opportunity and progress.