The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has inaugurated the ECOWAS Community Levy and Finance Committee (CLFC) and the ECOWAS Sector Programme Committee (SPC) to strengthen Ghana’s coordination, participation, and implementation of programmes under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at the ceremonies, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Ambassador Khadija Idrissu, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to regional integration, noting that the country, as a founding member of ECOWAS, has consistently supported initiatives aimed at promoting economic cooperation, free movement of persons and goods, peace and security, trade facilitation and sustainable development.
She explained that the Sector Programme Committee, established in accordance with the ECOWAS Operational Manual, would serve as a technical coordinating body for the implementation and monitoring of ECOWAS programmes at the national level.
The Committee would also provide a platform for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the private sector, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders to review progress, evaluate projects and make recommendations to strengthen regional integration.
Ambassador Idrissu further noted that, the Committee’s deliberations would inform the work of the National Consultative Committee on Regional Integration (NCCRI), Ghana’s principal national coordinating mechanism for regional integration matters. She urged members to participate actively in the Committee’s activities to advance Ghana’s interests within the ECOWAS framework.
The Director responsible for the ECOWAS National Office at the Ministry, Mr. Ahmed Tijani, described the inauguration of the Committees as a major step towards addressing longstanding institutional gaps in the coordination of ECOWAS activities in Ghana.
He observed that the full operationalisation of the required structures had been slow, affecting stakeholder coordination, reporting and the effective utilisation of opportunities available under ECOWAS programmes.
Mr. Tijani encouraged members to use the committees as platforms for stronger collaboration, improved reporting, and the development of practical recommendations to enhance Ghana’s participation in regional initiatives.
The inauguration of the two committees forms part of Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its institutional engagement with ECOWAS, improve coordination among national stakeholders and ensure that the country derives greater benefits from regional integration, while contributing to the development of a peaceful and prosperous West African sub-region.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
