MFARI holds workshop for students on ECOWAS Protocol

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) has organised a two-day workshop aimed at educating second-cycle and tertiary students about the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol. 

The event, held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), brought together students in the Greater-Accra Region, educators and policymakers to foster a deeper understanding of the regional body's framework and its impact on the youth.

Over 2,000 students were drawn from more than 15 senior high schools and universities in the capital for the two-day workshop.

It aimed at raising awareness among young people about ECOWAS Protocols, policies and programmes that influence the economic, political and social landscape of West Africa. 

The workshop, which took place from November 28 to 29, 2024, was designed to enhance students' knowledge about the protocols, policies and operations of ECOWAS, as well as to encourage active participation in the organisation’s processes. 

Present at the event were the Greater-Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover; the Chief Director of the MFARI, Ramses Joseph Cleland; the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Mohammed Lawan Gana, and the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Dr Eric Nkansah. 

Rationale

Addressing the participants, the ECOWAS Resident Representative underscored the importance of understanding the ECOWAS protocols such as “free movement of people, residency, democracy and good governance”.

Mr Gana urged the students and youth to learn about ECOWAS policies and ascertain how they impacted them, and to actively contribute to shaping the region’s collective future. 

He emphasised that ECOWAS programmes focused on youth empowerment and conflict prevention, with the aim to engage young people in positive activities that contribute to human capital development.  

Ghana’s role

In his address, the Greater-Accra Regional Minister, Mr Titus-Glover, said the country would “always be committed to the tenets of regional integration and promoters of the integration process.

It is imperative that we continually refresh our minds on the fruitfulness of regionalism”.

Mr Titus-Glover indicated that ECOWAS had remained steadfast in its mission to promote economic integration among its Member States, aiming to enhance the living standards of our citizens and drive collective economic prosperity. 

He added that Ghana remained steadfast as a pillar of stability, and its commitment to ECOWAS and its objectives was resolute. Stating that the challenges faced by the sub-region also presented opportunities to refocus on the core principles of regional cooperation, security and development that underpinned our collective progress.

Encouragement 

The Chief Director of MFARI, Mr Cleland, indicated that the MFARI  had “actively pursued initiatives to enhance public understanding of ECOWAS objectives and accomplishments. 

He encouraged the students to actively participate, ask questions and engage in thoughtful discussions as it was a shared learning experience that would require their insights and work together to advance the goals of ECOWAS.

“Let us all commit to an open exchange of ideas and perspectives. Together, we can foster a greater appreciation for the important role ECOWAS plays in shaping our lives and the future of our region,” Mr Cleland added.