ECOWAS Urges Citizens To Help Prevent Conflict And Disinformation
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on citizens across the sub-region to support efforts to prevent conflict, counter disinformation and strengthen social cohesion to promote peace and stability.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, said citizens had an important role to play in building a peaceful, united and resilient West Africa.
He made the call during the ECOWAS National Sensitisation Campaign at Makola Market in Accra on Friday, as part of efforts to bring the regional body closer to citizens and improve public understanding of regional integration.
Ambassador Gana said regional integration required more than agreements among member states, noting that citizens must understand their responsibilities and actively contribute to the peace and development of the community.
“Equally important, citizens must understand the role they can play in promoting peace, preventing conflict, countering disinformation, strengthening social cohesion, and building a more united and resilient West Africa,” he said.
He explained that the success of ECOWAS should not be measured solely by the protocols adopted or institutions established, but by the extent to which ordinary citizens understood and benefited from the opportunities created by regional cooperation.
Ambassador Gana said ECOWAS had pursued several initiatives in free movement, regional trade, peace and security, education, youth empowerment, gender equality and economic cooperation since its establishment on May 28, 1975.
He said sustained public education was necessary to ensure that citizens understood these initiatives and participated actively in advancing the regional integration agenda.
The Resident Representative also called on stakeholders to support the sensitisation campaign beyond its launch to ensure that accurate and accessible information reached communities across the country.
“I therefore call on all stakeholders to support this campaign beyond this launch. Let us ensure that ECOWAS’ message is sustained, that information is accurate and accessible, and that citizens are encouraged to participate actively in shaping the future of our community,” he said.
He noted that West Africa had considerable economic potential, with a population of about 400 million people and a combined gross domestic product estimated at approximately US$800 billion.
According to him, stronger regional cooperation and citizen participation could help the sub-region harness its human and economic resources to improve livelihoods and promote shared prosperity.
Ambassador Gana urged traders, young people, women, farmers, transport operators and small-scale business owners to take advantage of opportunities available under ECOWAS policies.
On his part, the Vice President of the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA), Joseph Pardy, commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its ECOWAS National Office, for initiating the sensitisation campaign to educate citizens about regional integration and encourage their participation.
He said the campaign should extend beyond government institutions to include traditional authorities, diplomatic missions, businesses and other relevant stakeholders.
“The task of sensitising and educating citizens on the importance of ECOWAS integration, and the rights and responsibilities of all member states, should not be left to state actors alone,” he said.
He urged the Ministry to engage its counterparts across the sub-region to encourage other member states to adopt similar public education programmes.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
