Ghana launches ECOWAS for All campaign to bring regional integration closer to citizens, promote rights and opportunities
By: Hannah Dadzie In an effort to bring regional integration closer to ordinary citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, has officially launched the ECOWAS National Citizens Engagement and Public Sensitization Campaign in Accra. Many citizens, particularly traders, entrepreneurs and students are still not fully aware of the opportunities created […]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, has launched the ECOWAS National Citizens Engagement and Public Sensitization Campaign to bridge the gap between ECOWAS policies and the lives of ordinary citizens. The campaign, named "ECOWAS for All," aims to promote awareness, participation, and opportunities for regional integration among traders, entrepreneurs, students, and people living in border communities.
ECOWAS for All seeks to ensure that citizens fully understand and can take advantage of the various opportunities provided by ECOWAS protocols, such as the free movement of persons and goods, as well as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson emphasized that regional integration cannot succeed if it remains confined to government institutions and conference rooms; it must be embraced and actively supported by the people whose lives can be improved through its implementation.
The Deputy Minister highlighted several rights that Ghanaian citizens can enjoy, including visa-free travel for up to 90 days in other ECOWAS member states, duty-free entry of goods qualifying under ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and the ability to reside and establish businesses in other member states.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Gana Lawan Mohammed, stressed the importance of closing the gap between regional policies and citizens' knowledge and experiences. The campaign will involve stakeholder forums, market sensitisation activities, border community engagements, media outreach, and student workshops, providing citizens with opportunities to voice their concerns about customs procedures, documentation, and border processes.
The campaign, running from October to December 2026, represents an essential step in the ECOWAS Vision 2050 objective of transforming the region from a "Community of States" to a "Community of Peoples and Prosperity."
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
