The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the ECOWAS National Office, will on Thursday, October 1, launch a national citizens engagement and public sensitisation campaign aimed at enhancing public awareness of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its programmes.
Dubbed “ECOWAS for All,” the initiative seeks to bring ECOWAS closer to citizens by promoting greater understanding of the regional bloc’s policies, opportunities and benefits, while encouraging active public participation in regional integration efforts.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry, the campaign is themed “Bringing ECOWAS Closer to the Citizens: Promoting Awareness, Participation and Opportunities for Regional Integration.”
The sensitisation programme is expected to target a broad spectrum of the population, including traders, transport operators, entrepreneurs, students, youth groups and communities in border areas, with information on the opportunities and benefits available under ECOWAS protocols.
Key focus areas of the campaign will include the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and Establishment, as well as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). Participants will also be educated on avenues for engaging relevant institutions on issues relating to cross-border trade, customs procedures and regional integration matters.
The launch event will bring together representatives of the ECOWAS Resident Mission in Ghana, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), academia, civil society organisations, media practitioners and other stakeholders.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event.
The Ministry indicated that the launch forms part of a broader series of engagements scheduled from October to December 2026. Activities will include sensitisation programmes at Makola and Madina markets, stakeholder engagements in communities around the Aflao and Elubo border posts, media outreach programmes and visibility campaigns targeting both mainstream and digital platforms.
The Ministry said the initiative reflects its commitment to strengthening collaboration among ECOWAS institutions, government agencies and local communities to improve public understanding of regional integration and the opportunities it presents.
It further called on media organisations and other stakeholders to participate actively in the campaign and support efforts to promote a citizen-centred approach to regional integration in Ghana.
Officials believe the campaign will help increase awareness of ECOWAS programmes while enabling more Ghanaians to take advantage of opportunities available within the West African sub-region.
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