Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) said it has embarked on the promotion of free movement of people across the nations of the sub-continent, encouraging the removal of barriers at the boundaries to enable citizens move freely.
The commission said it was the encumbrances to free movement that have retarded economic development of the region because they inhibit inter-state trade and travel.
ECOWAS Commission in a recent meeting at Accra Weizo, held last week in Ghana, disclosed the efforts it has been making to facilitate free movement and goods across West African states.
The Director in Charge of Enterprise, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Tony Elumelu, in his presentation at the Accra Weizo conference held recently in Accra, Ghana, said ECOWAS has been working assiduously to promote the free movement of persons, goods capital, and services within the community and the efforts made so far are yielding fruits.
According to him, at the heart of our integration efforts lies the Free Movement Protocol, a visionary policy that has revolutionized the way “we travel and conduct business within our region.
“By enabling citizens of ECOWAS member states to travel freely within the region, this protocol has not only promoted people-to- people diplomacy but also facilitated trade and investment, thereby fostering economic growth and development. The protocol’s impact cannot be overstated, as it has removed a significant barrier to intra-regional travel and commerce, allowing us to harness the full potential of our collective resources and talents,” he said.
He further said: “By enabling citizens of ECOWAS member states to travel freely within the region, this protocol has not only promoted people-to- people diplomacy but also facilitated trade and investment, thereby fostering economic growth and development. The protocol’s impact cannot be overstated, as it has removed a significant barrier to intra-regional travel and commerce, allowing us to harness the full potential of our collective resources and talents.”
Elumelu said ECOWAS has harmonised tourism policy that has been instrumental to facilitating the development of tourism infrastructure, products, and services across the region, thereby enhancing the overall tourist experience.
“Furthermore, our hotel classification system has ensured that tourists can expect a certain standard of accommodation, regardless of the country they are visiting, which has undoubtedly boosted confidence in our tourism industry. By promoting intra-regional travel, we are not only generating revenue but also fostering greater understanding and appreciation of our diverse cultures and traditions,” he added.
