Reverend Martin Amenaki, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ketu North, has commended the ECOWAS Commission for bringing together stakeholders from Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria to discuss issues concerning cross-border movement and trade.
Rev Amenaki made the commendation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the ECOWAS Commission’s stakeholder engagement held at the Akanu-Noepe Joint Border Post between Ghana and Togo.
He said the engagement was particularly important for border communities because they were directly affected by policies and regulations governing the movement of persons, goods and services within the sub-region.
Rev. Amenaki urged the ECOWAS Commission to sustain such engagements and strengthen collaboration with Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities, security agencies, traders and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocol.
He said effective implementation of the protocol would facilitate cross-border trade, deepen regional integration, create economic opportunities and improve the livelihoods of people living in border communities
The MCE also called for sustained public education to enable residents, traders and travellers to better understand their rights and responsibilities under the ECOWAS free movement regime, as well as comply with relevant border requirements.
He said regular sensitisation would help address misconceptions about the protocol, reduce challenges encountered by border users and promote peaceful relations among communities on both sides of the Ghana-Togo border.
Rev. Amenaki further encouraged stakeholders to work closely with border management agencies to create an enabling environment for legitimate businesses while maintaining the necessary security measures.
The Akanu-Noepe Joint Border Post is an important crossing point between Ghana and Togo and forms part of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, a major regional route connecting West African countries and facilitating the movement of people, goods and services across the sub-region.
Source: GNA
