The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Media Response and the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council held a Sensitisation Workshop on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols for Senior High and Tertiary Students in the Eastern Region. The workshop brought together students, educators, officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Civil Society Organisations.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, emphasised the vital role that young people play in advancing regional integration, peace and development. The Minister was hopeful that the workshop would help to equip the students with knowledge about ECOWAS to enable them to broaden their interactions, aspirations, civic responsibility and regional awareness. Hon. Awatey urged the students to collaborate on cross-border opportunities and participate in sustainable development initiatives.
The Coordinating Director for Multilateral and International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Francis Danti Kotia in his address stated that, the progress of ECOWAS does not solely depend on treaties and protocols signed by leaders, but also on the knowledge and active participation of the youth in the ECOWAS sub-region.
Ambassador Francis Kotia further reiterated Ghana’s commitment to ECOWAS and its objectives and stated that the ECOWAS Protocol relating to Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and Establishment, and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) have facilitated cross-border cooperation and expanded economic activities. He noted that the sub-region has an economic output of about $740.00 billion annually, with an export value of about $122.70 billion. He highlighted the crucial role played by ECOWAS in restoring peace and security in some Member States through its peacekeeping missions, and the development of regional infrastructure projects in the areas of energy and road networks across the sub-region.
He also noted that, the future economic growth of ECOWAS relies heavily on innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development and urged the students to develop their talents, build networks across borders, and contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of the sub-region. He encouraged the students to learn more about ECOWAS, participate actively in youth forums, debates and initiatives that promote regional cooperation and use technology to connect with their peers across the sub-region as well as champion peace and tolerance to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana informed the students about projects which have been undertaken by ECOWAS in Ghana and assured that ECOWAS would continue to create an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs and professionals.
A team of Officers for the Sensitisation workshop earlier called on the Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.