Accra, March 15, GNA - Mr Reginald Kpakpo Hansen-Thompson, Chief Executive of James Quagraine and Company, a firm of Chartered Accountants and Financial Consultants in Accra, has been elected member of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC) Working Group.

A statement released in Accra on Wednesday, said Mr Hansen-Thompson was elected at Palais des Congress in Niamey, Niger, during deliberations by representatives of the private sector in West Africa. He was one of the participants who presented papers at the last ECOWAS Summit in Niger on how the private sector would engage itself in rapid integration of the sub-region and ensure faster economic development.

The statement said Mr Hansen-Thompson, who is also a member of the Executive Committee of West African Enterprises Network (WAEN), would work with six other members to fashion out a concept paper for the establishment of ECOWAS Business Council within four to six months. The EBC, when established, would act as an Advisory Organ to the decision-making bodies of ECOWAS and serve as an apex body with integrated links to the national business associations and chambers. Other members of the EBC Working Group are Mr Hassan Adamu of Nigeria, co-Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Iddi Agogo of Niger, co-Chairman, Mr Romeo Barberopoulos of Nigeria, Secretary, Mr Khardy Fall Tall of Senegal, Member, Mr Charles Ugwuh of Nigeria, Member, Madame Hassane Wangabi Anina of Niger, Member and a nominee of the ECOWAS Secretariat, who would be an ex-Officio member.