ECOWAS Takes Regional Integration Campaign to Makola Traders

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take its “ECOWAS for All” public sensitisation campaign to Makola Market in Accra on Friday, October 23, to educate traders and business operators on free movement, cross-border trade procedures and regional business opportunities.

The engagement forms part of efforts to bring the benefits of regional integration closer to citizens and improve public understanding of the rights, responsibilities and opportunities available under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The campaign, launched on October 2, 2026, is being implemented in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies under the theme, “Bringing ECOWAS Closer to the Citizen: Promoting Awareness, Participation and Opportunities for Regional Integration.”

At Makola, the engagement will focus on ECOWAS free movement protocols, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), customs procedures, immigration requirements, transport operations and opportunities for small businesses within the regional bloc.

Participants, including market women, cross-border traders, importers, exporters, transport operators, artisans and young entrepreneurs, are expected to receive practical information to help them navigate regional trade and travel requirements.

The programme will also provide direct access to officials from the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs, Port Health and other relevant institutions through interactive sessions designed to address concerns affecting traders and business operators.

The initiative seeks to improve awareness of lawful cross-border trade procedures and help market participants understand how to take advantage of opportunities within the ECOWAS market.

The ETLS, which provides for the gradual elimination of customs duties on qualifying originating products traded among ECOWAS member states, will be among the key areas of discussion.

The campaign will also gather recurring challenges faced by traders and transport operators for referral to the appropriate institutions for follow-up.

Through the engagement, the Ministry aims to strengthen cooperation among government agencies, market associations, transport unions, business groups and other stakeholders in promoting regional integration.

The Makola outreach forms part of broader efforts to ensure that ECOWAS policies and protocols are better understood by citizens and translated into practical benefits for traders, entrepreneurs and other economic actors.

By taking the campaign directly to the market, the Ministry hopes to encourage greater participation in regional trade and improve public understanding of the opportunities available across the ECOWAS community.

Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD