Participants at a conference organised by the ECOWAS Parliament to mark its 20th anniversary, on Thursday in Lome called for the inclusion of Community Law in varsity curricula of member states.

“In order to ground the knowledge of the court in legal practitioners, participants call for the teaching of Community Law to be included in the curricula of universities in all member states,’’ they stated.

They also proposed direct assess by the court to the Authority of Heads of State and Governments as well regular briefing by Council of Ministers on emerging issues.

These formed parts of the recommendations at the end of the week-long conference with the theme: “Twenty Years of ECOWAS Court of Justice: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects.

The conference sought to appraise the court in its entirety and proffer solutions to challenges as well as offer ways forward.

It recommended that direct meetings with Heads of State and Governments could be an avenue to report erring states.

The recommendations which were proposed to be forwarded to the Heads of State and Government, seek to have resolutions reached implemented within the shortest possible time.

“With regard to the problem of implementation, the court should not be left alone with the state.

“Institutions of ECOWAS, especially the Commission and Parliament should back the court in its efforts.

“The revitalisation of the ECOWAS Court as a court of law for integration will necessarily require measures from the ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS Parliament,’’ the conference declared.

It also recommended that the number of judges be increased from five forthwith, while calling for a reconsideration of the tenure of judges such that it is staggered and all judges don’t leave at the same time.