The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with Media Response and the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, has held a sensitisation workshop on 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 representatives from civil society organisations.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, highlighted the crucial role of young people in advancing regional integration, peace, and development. She expressed hope that the workshop would equip students with knowledge about ECOWAS, enabling them to broaden their civic engagement, regional awareness, and cross-border interactions. Hon. Awatey urged students to explore collaborative opportunities and actively participate in sustainable development initiatives.
The Coordinating Director for Multilateral and International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Francis Danti Kotia, emphasised that the progress of ECOWAS depends not only on treaties signed by leaders but also on the knowledge and engagement of youth across the sub-region. Ambassador Kotia reiterated Ghana’s commitment to ECOWAS, noting that protocols on Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and Establishment, and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) have strengthened cross-border cooperation and expanded economic activity. He added that ECOWAS generates an economic output of about $740 billion annually, with exports valued at approximately $122.7 billion.
Ambassador Kotia further highlighted ECOWAS’s role in restoring peace and security in member states through peacekeeping missions and developing regional infrastructure projects in energy and road networks. He stressed that the future economic growth of the sub-region relies heavily on innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development, urging students to develop talents, build cross-border networks, and contribute meaningfully to regional prosperity.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, informed participants of ongoing projects in Ghana and assured students that ECOWAS will continue to create enabling environments for young entrepreneurs and professionals.
Earlier, a team of officers from the sensitisation workshop paid a courtesy call on the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, to brief her on the programme.
The workshop reflects a concerted effort by Ghana and ECOWAS to ensure that young people are informed, engaged, and empowered to contribute to regional integration, peace, and sustainable development.