Mr Chris Kpodo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has observed that regional integration would help to consolidate Ghana’s excellence in regional and international diplomacy.

“It would also sustain our conviction and dedication as a nation, to good neighborliness and strong mutually beneficial inter-state partnerships that would ensure national as well as regional socio-economic development,” he said.

Mr Kpodo made the observation when he opened a three-day national stakeholders’ retreat on regional integration organised by the Africa and Regional Integration Bureau (ECOWAS National Unit) of the Ministry, in Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.

“This exercise affords us the opportunity to review activities that have commenced and to exchange experiences whilst examining new and better ways of enhancing coordination among stakeholders so as maximise not only Ghana participation in and contribution to the regional integration process but also enable our nation to derive optimal benefits from our membership of the community,” he added.

Mr Kpodo said this was particularly necessary in light of the fact that Ghana, with increased financial resources anticipated from the oil industry would be expected to contribute greater resources to ECOWAS by way of community levies.

He said in spite of the fact that Ghana, is relatively small in population the country contributes the highest in per capita terms to the sub-regional body.

He pledged government’s continued commitment, through the ECOWAS National Unit to make regional integration the flagship of its foreign policy by actively participating in ECOWAS activities while ensuring that Ghana derives maximum benefits from its membership.

Participants at the retreat include representatives from the Ministry, ministries of roads and highways, trade and industry, ECOWAS Brown Card, Bank of Ghana, Ghana immigration service among other bodies.

Dr Kodzo Alabo, Director of Africa and Regional Integration Bureau, of the Ministry, urged the participants to ensure that they come out with a better understanding of the process of integration and the people involved, in order to enhance the implementation of projects geared towards the realisation of the goal.