Ghana has re-established its ECOWAS National Office and begun inaugurating key committees to improve the coordination, implementation and oversight of programmes under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, said the move was intended to strengthen the country’s institutional capacity to fulfil its obligations under ECOWAS protocols and enhance collaboration in the implementation of regional integration initiatives.
Speaking in Accra at the inauguration of the ECOWAS Community Levy and Finance Committee, Ambassador Iddrisu explained that the restored office would serve as the committee’s secretariat, providing the administrative and technical assistance required to support its operations.
“Pursuant to Community Regulation C/REG.11/21 and Article 6.1 of the ECOWAS Operational Manual, the ECOWAS National Office has been re-established with fully functional staff within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she said.
The Chief Director introduced Ahmed Abubakari Tijani as head of the re-established office and expressed confidence that he and his team would provide the support needed to advance the committee’s responsibilities.
She explained that the initiative formed part of broader efforts to improve Ghana’s engagement with the West African regional organisation and ensure more effective coordination of programmes designed to promote cooperation among member states.
Ambassador Iddrisu also announced plans to inaugurate two additional committees as part of measures to strengthen the country’s regional integration framework.
The ECOWAS Sector Programme Committee was scheduled for inauguration on Monday, October 12, at 2 p.m., while the ECOWAS National Consultative Coordinating Committee on Regional Integration was expected to be inaugurated on Friday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
The establishment and activation of these committees are intended to provide structured platforms for coordinating sectoral programmes, consulting relevant stakeholders and monitoring the implementation of regional commitments.
For his part, Ahmed Abubakari Tijani, Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Ghana, said restoring the office would help address longstanding institutional deficiencies affecting the coordination of regional integration activities.
He indicated that a dedicated national office would provide an administrative structure through which Ghana could organise its engagement with ECOWAS, improve communication among relevant institutions and support the implementation of agreed regional initiatives.
The re-establishment of the office comes as Ghana seeks to strengthen the institutional arrangements underpinning its participation in regional cooperation. Through improved coordination, technical support and committee oversight, the country aims to enhance the implementation of ECOWAS programmes and fulfil its commitments to the regional bloc.
The initiative places renewed emphasis on the role of national institutions in translating regional agreements into coordinated action, while supporting cooperation among West African states on shared economic, administrative and development priorities.
