Parliaments of member states of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) will have the mandate to ratify the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) before it is finally signed.

After ratification, an effective date would be set up for signing by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of Ecowas.

These were made known by Chairman of Ecowas John Dramani Mahama, who is also President of the Republic of Ghana, at the just ended 45th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the sub-regional body.

Mr Mahama made it clear, however, that Ecowas has endorsed the Agreement "in principle".

“We have endorsed the regional EPA and what is left will be the actual signing of the EPAs,” he said at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, where the Summit took place.

“I cannot say precisely when the signing will take place because there are lots of actions that must happen before the signing takes place.”

He also indicated that the Agreement will be translated into 23 European languages upon which “some final work” will be done.

Ghana’s President stressed that the various parliaments would have to ratify it before it is finally agreed to.

“It is only upon ratification that an effective date would happen.”

West African countries were under obligation to sign the trade pact by October. The pact is expected to open the West African market to European products and vice versa.