The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has commended the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, for being elected the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, the CPP Presidential Candidate for Election 2016, told the Ghana News Agency that the new ECOWAS Chair must ensure that the sub-region is transformed into a fair and safe community in which men and women have equal opportunities.

He said: “As we congratulate you as the new chair, the CPP expect that you lead the promotion of economic co-operation between all the states with the goal of raising the living standards of the population.

“We encourage you to pursue the mandate of ECOWAS with new vigor and purpose to ensure political, economic and security stability of the sub-region”.

President Sirleaf was elected at the 49th ECOWAS heads of state meeting in Dakar, Senagal, on Saturday. The new chairperson’s tenure will expire in 12 months.

Mr Greenstreet urged the ECOWAS chair to use her influence to ensure that countries holding elections during her tenure of office adhered to all electoral rules for free, fair and transparent elections.