Mano River Basin Commission

Commerce SSS3 Second Term

WEEK 1

Mano River Basin Commission

Performance Objectives

The student should be able to:

      1. Trace the history of the Mano River Basin Commission.

   2. List their objectives.    

Content

Mano River Basin Commission

The Mano River Basin Commission came into being on 3rd October 1973, through the signing of the Mano River Declaration by the late President William Tolbert of Liberia and President Siaka Stevens of Sierra Leone.

The Mano River Basin Commission takes its name from the River Mano which forms a common boundary between Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Member Countries

Initially, the Mano River Basin Commission was composed of Liberia and Sierra Leone but with the joining of the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea on 25h October 1980, the Mano River Basin Commission now comprises three countries of the West African sub-region.

The Mano River Declaration and its protocols set out the legal and institutional framework of the Union. The highest authority is the Summit of Heads of State which meets as at when the need arises. Its function is ceremonial. The highest decision-making body is the Union Ministerial Council comprising the Ministers of Justice, Planning, Finance, Trade, Industry, Education, Works, Post and Telecommunication and Agriculture from member states.

A Secretary-General heads the Union Secretariat set up in Freetown to provide administrative machinery through which government of the member states implement their joint projects and programmes.

Objectives of Mano River Basin Commission

The major objectives of the Union are to:

1. Intensify economic co-operation.

2. Accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural advancement.

3. Establish a firm economic foundation for lasting peace, friendship and freedom.

4. Establish a customs union which would serve to promote the economic development of the member states by expanding trade and creating new productive capacities.