Mr Francis Danti Kotia, Coordinating Director for Multilateral and International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has underscored the critical role of young people in advancing regional integration and strengthening cooperation within West Africa.
He made the call during a Regional Sensitisation Workshop on ECOWAS Protocols for secondary and tertiary students in the Volta Region, organised under the ECOWAS National Office as part of the Ministry’s mandate.
Mr Kotia said ECOWAS represents a collective vision for unity, progress, and prosperity across the sub-region, noting that since its establishment in 1975, the bloc has played a pivotal role in promoting economic growth, peace, and social development among its member states.
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He highlighted the vast opportunities available to young people through ECOWAS, including education programmes, cultural exchanges, scholarships, internships, and cross-border collaborations designed to empower the next generation. “ECOWAS is not merely an institution; it is a community of people committed to breaking barriers and building bridges.
It is about a borderless region where Ghanaian students can collaborate with peers in Nigeria, Senegal or Sierra Leone to find African solutions to African challenges,” he said.
Referencing recent geopolitical developments, Mr Kotia noted the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, now operating under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
While acknowledging that their exit presents challenges, he said Ghana remains a pillar of stability within ECOWAS and continues to uphold the principles of peace, democracy, and good governance.
He pointed to the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (Ghana Card), the ECOWAS passport, and the protocols on free movement, residence, and establishment as tangible benefits that have enhanced business and educational mobility across the sub-region.
Addressing the students, he encouraged them to become champions of regional unity, stressing that their creativity, innovation, and digital skills are essential to West Africa’s future.
He urged them to participate in youth initiatives, leverage technology to connect across borders, and promote peace and tolerance.
Volta Regional Minister Mr James Gunu, who also addressed the workshop, welcomed the initiative as timely for a region that serves as a major gateway to Ghana’s neighbouring countries.
He noted that the success of ECOWAS protocols and programmes depends heavily on public awareness—particularly among young people who must appreciate the benefits of integration, free movement, and regional cooperation.
“Your presence here is not just symbolic; it is strategic. You are the future innovators, diplomats, and entrepreneurs who must carry the ECOWAS vision forward,” he told the students.
Mr Gunu reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to sub-regional development under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, citing efforts to promote economic diplomacy, cross-border trade, and infrastructure expansion aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He also expressed hope that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would eventually be reintegrated into the ECOWAS community in the interest of regional unity.
He pledged the continued support of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council for programmes that strengthen collaboration, peace, and development across the sub-region.
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