The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Ghanaian students to harness opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship to drive regional integration and development.

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Mr Mohammed Lawan Gana, said the youth were central to achieving the bloc’s Vision 2050 of a peaceful, prosperous and fully integrated West Africa.

He made the call at an engagement with students of Central University in Accra Friday as part of activities marking ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary.

Speaking on the theme: ‘ECOWAS at 50: From Founders’ vision to Youth Action,’ Mr Gana said the vision was anchored on a transition from an “ECOWAS of states” to an “ECOWAS of people.”

He noted that the agenda was being pursued through key pillars, including peace and security, governance and rule of law, economic integration, sustainable development, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mr Gana emphasised the need to invest in the youth, describing them as critical to the region’s future.

“The youth in West Africa are not docile. They are vibrant, and you can see the entrepreneurship in them even without encouragement,” he said.

“Why should we be looking at Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg? We have them here. It is just for us to give them the encouragement,” he added.

The ECOWAS Representative cited initiatives such as an artificial intelligence (AI) training programme that benefited about 200 students at the University of Ghana Business School, and highlighted the Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI), which Ghana is expected to host in 2027.

He also disclosed plans for ECOWAS to partner Central University to support its innovation drive, as part of efforts to position the youth to effectively contribute to the blocs development.

Mr Gana urged students to position themselves as key actors in achieving “Vision 2050”, calling on stakeholders to invest in the youth to help address current challenges facing the region.

The Dean of the Central Business School at the university, Professor Evans Sokro, commended ECOWAS for deliberately involving young people in its activities and encouraged students to take advantage of such opportunities.