The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), has organized a public sensitisation campaign at the Makola Market to educate citizens on regional integration opportunities and their rights under ECOWAS protocols.
The campaign, dubbed “ECOWAS for All”, was held on October 23, 2026, at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) under the theme, “Bringing ECOWAS Closer to the Citizen: Promoting Awareness, Participation and Opportunities for Regional Integration.”
The initiative sought to equip traders, transport operators, entrepreneurs and other market actors with practical knowledge on ECOWAS protocols, rights and responsibilities, as well as opportunities available for cross-border trade within the sub-region.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khadija Iddrisu, stressed the importance of educating traders on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), free movement of persons, travel requirements and cross-border trade procedures.
She encouraged participants to take advantage of opportunities created through regional integration and urged them to share challenges encountered in their business activities for appropriate institutional intervention.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Mohammed Lawan Gana, underscored the need for citizens to understand and benefit from the protocols established by the regional bloc.
He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance trade, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and inclusive development across West Africa.
Vice President of the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA), Joseph Pardy, commended the Ministry and its partners for the initiative and advocated sustained public education on ECOWAS programmes and protocols.
He also urged citizens to familiarize themselves with their rights and responsibilities while respecting the laws of countries within the sub-region where they conduct business.
A representative of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, speaking on behalf of the Mayor, welcomed the programme and encouraged participants to actively engage in the discussions to improve their business operations both within Ghana and across West Africa.
The campaign featured interactive sessions that allowed traders to engage directly with officials from relevant institutions on customs and immigration regulations, transport requirements, cross-border trade procedures and other issues affecting their businesses.
Participants were also given the opportunity to seek clarification and practical guidance on challenges encountered in their trading activities.
Organisers said the ECOWAS for All campaign is designed to bring regional integration closer to ordinary citizens by increasing awareness of their rights and responsibilities and enabling them to benefit from opportunities available within the ECOWAS community.
As part of efforts to expand the outreach programme, the campaign team is expected to hold a similar sensitisation exercise at the Madina Market in the Greater Accra Region on October 29, 2026.