Regional Institutions and Policy Formulation Processes

The importance of the policy formulation process cannot be overemphasized given the dynamism of regional integration in the word. The success of any regional integration scheme can be said to be founded on efficient policy making and implementation. Comparative regionalism offers a great deal of inferences as it helps in reviewing policy formulation processes of regional schemes, with the aim of deducing valuable lessons. Drawing from the still limited interest of researchers to understand the fundamentals and dynamics of the regional policy formulation process in West Africa, it is important to underline the comparative inquiry of regional policy formulation processes vis-à-vis ECOWAS, EU and ASEAN. Consequently, this paper has identified some policy formulation challenges in ECOWAS such as a lack of inclusive policy formulation processes, weak policy evaluation and feedback mechanisms, political and financial commitment and problems of ethnicity and weak national allegiances. To improve its policy formulation and implementation for the benefit of regional development and dynamism, ECOWAS should address the factors and issues raised in this paper. Finally, clarity and consistency in management policies and procedures would promote greater institutional development