The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) has organised a two-day workshop aimed at educating second-cycle and tertiary students about the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols. 

The event, held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), brought together students in the Greater-Accra Region, educators and policymakers to foster a deeper understanding of the regional body's framework and its impact on the youth.nded the two-day workshop. It aimed at raising awareness among young people about ECOWAS Protocols, policies and programmes that influence the economic, political and social landscape of West Africa.

The workshop was designed to enhance students' knowledge about the protocols, policies and operations of ECOWAS, as well as to encourage active participation in the organisation’s processes.

Rationale

Addressing the students, the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Baba Gana Wakil, underscored the importance of understanding the ECOWAS protocols, such as “free movement of people, residency, democracy and good governance”.

Mr Wakil urged the students and youth to learn about the ECOWAS policies and ascertain how it impacted them, and to actively contribute to shaping the region’s collective future. 

Mr Gana emphasised that ECOWAS programmes focused on youth empowerment and conflict prevention, with the aim to engage young people in positive activities that contribute to human capital development. 

Ghana’s role

In his address, the Greater-Accra Regional Minister, Mr Titus Glover, said the country would “always be committed to the tenets of regional integration and promoters of the integration process. It is imperative that we continually refresh our minds on the fruitfulness regionalism”.

Mr Glover indicated that the ECOWAS had remained steadfast in its mission to promote economic integration among its member states, aiming to enhance the living standards of our citizens and drive collective economic prosperity.

The Chief Director of the MFARI, Ramses Joseph Cleland, indicated that the MFARI had “actively pursued initiatives to enhance public understanding of ECOWAS objectives and accomplishments.

“Over the years, sensitisation programmes like this one have reached students and stakeholders across nearly every region. We are proud to continue this journey here in the Greater Accra Region, where so much of our national development is rooted,” he said.

Mr Cleland encouraged the students to actively participate, ask questions and engage in thoughtful discussions as it was a shared learning experience that would require their insights and togetherness to advance the goals of ECOWAS.

“Let us all commit to an open exchange of ideas and perspectives. Together, we can foster a greater appreciation for the important role ECOWAS plays in shaping our lives and the future of our region,” Mr Cleland added.