The issue of regional food security dominates the agenda of a one-daysummit of West African leaders in Abuja, Nigeria. Gilbert da Costa isattending the meeting, where leaders are worried about the impact ofthe rising global food and oil prices.

A pre-conference reportissued by Economic Community of West African States says persistenthigh food and oil prices remain a huge challenge to growth andmacro-economic stability in west Africa.

Liberian PresidentEllen Johnson Sirleaf warned the soaring cost of basic food items couldhave grave security consequences for the impoverished region.

"Mr.Chairman, we are all mindful that our efforts and successes atsustainable growth and development will suffer irreparably if the risein oil and food prices continues," she said. "A hungry stomach isquick to anger and will disrupt the peace we need to develop."

WestAfrica has made steady economic progress in the past three years. AnECOWAS report says gross domestic product is expected to reach a record$232 billion in 2008 with a growth rate of more than five percent.

Butexperts warn all the gains could be wiped out if urgent steps are nottaken to ease the impact of the food and energy prices.

President Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast (r) converses with President Yayah Djameh of Gambia (l) during Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)summit in Abuja, 23 June 2008

Out of the 15 members of ECOWAS, only Nigeria and Ivory Coast produce and export oil.

Arepresentative of the U.N. Secretary General, Sa'id Djinnit, saysradical changes are required in agricultural practices in the region.

"Thereare clearly external factors to the crisis, relating to theinternational economic environment," he said. "But there are alsointernal factors to African countries that contributed to themarginalization of agriculture. These combined factors contributed tocreating a paradoxical situation where in every African country, peopleconsume what they do not produce and produce what they do not consume."

Areport on the status of implementation of regional programs,particularly those on free movement of persons, goods and right ofestablishment and residence as well as the security situation is alsobeing considered at the summit.