From Beatrice Akua Asamani

Lome (Togo), Aug. 22, GNA - Ghana's Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Friday tasked Ministers responsible for integration of West African countries to work with Customs, Excise and Preventive Services and other relevant institutions to ensure the free flow goods and services in line with ECOWAS protocols.

Speaking at a meeting at the Ghana's Embassy at Lome with Ghana's Ambassador to Togo, Mr Kwaku Mensah-Bonsu and other Staffs of the Embassy, Vice President Mahama said there were too many negative reports from traders and business people about persistent impediments that thwarted their efforts.

Vice President Mahama said the benefits of the integration process of the Sub-Region included the free flow of goods; therefore, undermining this goal was not in the interest of the economies of the countries and their 250 million people.

The Vice President was in Lome to inaugurate the first Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), the new financial arm of the Sub-Regional body, on behalf of the Chairman of ECOWAS.

EBID is expected to facilitate regional integration programmes in the public and the private sectors.

He tasked Mr Mensah-Bonsu to do his bit to support Ghanaian traders and business people, who visit Togo and advised Ghanaians resident in that country to be law abiding.

The Vice President said the Government believed in the policy of good neighbourliness, adding that it was in line with this goal that President John Agyekum Kufuor was making efforts to establish excellent ties with its neighbours.

"Security and stability in the Region would improve with trust and confidence among neighbours," he said.

Mr Mensah-Bonsu said that the problems affected traders from both side of the border, but accepted the challenge to resolve any problems reported to him.

He said the relations between Ghanaians in Togo and their hosts had significantly improved with the cordial bonds between the two countries.

Trading activities, he said, was also booming between the countries with 25 per cent of Togo's official imports coming from Ghana. France is the major source of imports. It is, however, believed that informal trade levels were higher with the balance in favour of Ghana. Popular Ghanaian products on the Togolese market include foodstuffs, packed water, herbal medicine, cosmetics and wax prints from Ghana Textiles Printing Company. The Vice President has since returned home.