Ghana will replace her passport with the ECOWAS travelling document by 2007. The move is in line with the implementation of the provisions of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Rights of residence and Establishment.

The Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Cooperation, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, made this known in a speech read on his behalf at a seminar on “ECOWAS Integration” in Accra on Wednesday. The seminar, which was organised by the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), was on the theme: “Enhancing Grassroots Participation in ECOWAS Integration.”

Dr Nduom said effective sensitization on the essence of the programme by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) will soon begin. He said the protocol also entails the right of entry and abolition of visas for community citizens, who visit Ghana for the period not exceeding 90 days, and who are in possession of valid travel documents.

He said although the protocol specifies the areas of co-operation among member states and ensures mutual assistance in matters related to the movement of person, goods, services and capital, among other things, the community citizens have continually witnessed ugly incidents arising from the migration of ECOWAS citizens from one country to another.

He said West African travellers and traders at various borders in the sub-region have to contend with harassment by immigration authorities and the risk of being defrauded at the borders. The minister announced plans to install ECOWAS special counters at all land entry points as pertains at the Kotoka International Airport. He said there is the need to recognize the fact that the people of West Africa are one people and require the freedom to move about.

The President of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the institute, Mr Edem Weto, said recent pronouncements by political leaders point to the fact that the sub-region is now ready for the integration process, but expressed concern about the exclusion of the youth in the process. He called for the integration of the educational systems of the sub-region from the basic to tertiary levels. Prof Atukwei Okai, a renowned poet and writer, also stressed the importance of integration in order to promote meaningful development in the sub-region.