Foreign Affairs Ministry takes ‘ECOWAS For All’ campaign to Makola Market on Friday

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take its ECOWAS national citizens engagement and public sensitisation campaign to Makola Market in Accra on Friday, October 23, 2026, to educate traders and other market operators on regional trade and free-movement opportunities.

The campaign, dubbed “ECOWAS For All”, seeks to bring the benefits of regional integration closer to citizens by improving public awareness, participation and access to opportunities within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The initiative was launched on October 2, 2026, under the theme, “Bringing ECOWAS Closer to the Citizen: Promoting Awareness, Participation and Opportunities for Regional Integration.”

According to the ministry, the engagement at Makola will focus on cross-border trade, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), customs procedures, immigration requirements, import clearance, free movement and transport operations.

It will also highlight opportunities for young people, entrepreneurs and small businesses operating within the ECOWAS market.

The ministry said the exercise was intended to equip traders, transport operators and other market-based actors with practical knowledge to enable them to take advantage of regional trade opportunities while complying with applicable rules and procedures.

Participants will receive information on their rights and responsibilities under ECOWAS free-movement protocols, as well as the documentation required for lawful cross-border trade.

The campaign will also provide direct access to officials from the Immigration Service, Customs Division, Port Health and other relevant institutions through interactive sessions designed to address traders’ concerns.

The ministry said the engagement would help identify recurring challenges faced by traders and transport operators and refer them to the appropriate institutions for follow-up.

Market women, market queens, women-led trader groups, importers, exporters, members of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), freight and logistics operators, artisans and small-business owners are among the groups expected to participate.

Youth, apprentices, transport unions, drivers, market leaders, civil society organisations and media representatives are also targeted.

The ministry is undertaking the campaign in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, with the aim of strengthening cooperation among government institutions, trader associations, transport unions and market leaders.

The Makola engagement forms part of efforts to make ECOWAS policies and opportunities more accessible to ordinary citizens, particularly those involved in trade and other economic activities across West Africa.

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