The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Media Response and the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council held a Sensitization Workshop on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols for Senior High and Tertiary Students in the Eastern Region.
The workshop which was held last Thursday brought together students, educators, officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Civil Society Organizations.
In a speech read on the behalf of the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, highlighted the vital role that young people play in promoting regional integration, peace and development.
She believed that the workshop would help to sharpen students with knowledge about ECOWAS which will enable them broaden their interactions, aspirations, civic responsibility and regional awareness.
The Minister encouraged students to partner on cross-border opportunities and participate in sustainable development initiatives.
The Coordinating Director for Multilateral and International Organizations at the ministry, Ambassador Francis Danti Kotia, stated that, the progress of ECOWAS does not only depend on treaties and protocols signed by leaders, but also on the impact and active participation of the youth in the ECOWAS sub-region.
He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to ECOWAS and its objectives, stating that the ECOWAS Protocol relating to Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and Establishment, and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) have facilitated cross-border cooperation and enlarged economic activities.
He highlighted the important role played by ECOWAS in restoring peace and security in some Member States through its peacekeeping missions, and the advancement of regional infrastructure projects in the areas of energy and road networks across the sub-region.
The ambassador mentioned that the sub-region has an economic output of about $740.00 billion annually, with an export value of about $122.70 billion adding that, the future economic growth of ECOWAS relies on innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
He therefore advised the students to develop their talents, build networks across borders, and contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of the sub-region with the assurance that ECOWAS would continue to create an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs and professionals.
Deborah Narkie Nartey, ISD
