ECOWAS heads of state are expected to take a final decision on the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

The meeting which is expected to take place next Thursday and Friday will assemble all the leaders in the region in Accra.

Following recommendations by a committee set up to review the agreement, ECOWAS early this year indicated that it has agreed to sign the pact. The economic grouping said it decided to sign the economic partnership with the European Union to protect exports from the region. 

But some African trade ministers are reported to have kicked against the signing of the EPAs, which they said would impact negatively on the continent's effort towards industrialization and job creation.

Meanwhile, Joy Business has gathered that the heads of states are likely to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.

They will also consider the introduction of the ECO, a single currency for some West African countries.

The leaders are expected to come up with new approach in introducing the currency as the old criteria appear not to be working for all the member countries.

IE