5th ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry Meeting begins in Accra
Approximately 100 participants, including Ministers of Trade and Industry from ECOWAS member states, are expected to converge in Accra today (June 11), for the Fifth Meeting of the ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5).
The ECOMOTI-5 meeting will also bring together representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, the UEMOA Commission and other regional and international organisations.
The two-day meeting (Jun 11 to 12), is expected to provide high-level political guidance, validate recommendations emerging from expert-level and senior officials' meetings, and take key decisions to advance the ECOWAS agenda on trade, industry, investment, competition, and consumer protection.
Specifically, ministers will review the region's participation in, and outcomes of, the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC14) and discuss the post-MC14 roadmap.
They will also consider progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations and implementation, as well as issues relating to the ECOWAS Common Market.
The meeting will further provide updates on ongoing trade initiatives and seek ministerial guidance, validation, and decisions required to strengthen regional trade integration.
Launch
The official launch of ECOMOTI-5 was held in Accra on Wednesday, June 10, setting the stage for the high-level regional meeting aimed at advancing the ECOWAS economic integration agenda.
Organisers indicated that the programme will feature presentations of reports, plenary discussions, and the adoption of decisions and recommendations.
Among the dignitaries who attended the launch were Director of Industry at Ghana's Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI), Mr Kofi Addo, Director of Trade at MOTAI, Mr Ebo Quayeson, Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Kolawole Sofola, Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, Dr Simon Kofi and Acting Director of Industry and Private Sector Promotion, Mr Peter Ogonye.
Commitment to regional trade
Director of Industry at Ghana's Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI), Kofi Addo, reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to promoting regional trade and economic integration as the country hosts the Fifth Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry in Accra.
Welcoming delegates on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Mr Addo noted that discussions would build on recommendations from recent expert-level meetings and focus on measures to strengthen trade among ECOWAS member states.
He said the meeting would bring together key stakeholders to deliberate on issues aimed at enhancing intra-regional trade and economic cooperation.
He described Ghana as a gateway for business in West Africa and expressed confidence that the country would demonstrate its readiness to support regional commerce and investment.
"As a host country, on behalf of the government and my Honourable Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs Elisabeth Ofosu-Adjare, we would like to welcome all our visitors to the shores of Ghana. These two days, we want to prove to the rest of our sister countries that Ghana is still the gateway for business in the West African sub-region," he said.
He further thanked the ECOWAS Commission, development partners, and other stakeholders for their support in organising the meeting.
Strengthening regional trade
Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, Kolawole Sofola, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation as ECOWAS ministers prepare to meet in Accra to address key trade, industry, investment, competition and consumer protection issues.
Mr Sofola said the ministerial session follows extensive deliberations by technical experts and senior officials who reviewed matters affecting the region's economic integration agenda.
He mentioned that the meeting comes at a time of significant changes in the global trading environment, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, evolving tariff regimes and increasing competition for foreign direct investment.
He stressed that these challenges require a coordinated regional response to strengthen ECOWAS's position in global and continental trade.
Mr Sofola also underscored the strategic role of Ghana in regional integration efforts, citing the country's hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and its active contribution to preparations for the ministerial meeting.
"So the ministers will consider the report of the senior trade officials, which addresses the full range of ECOWAS's multilateral, continental and bilateral trade agenda. The second agenda item is industry, where the ministers will consider the report of the meeting of industry experts, covering the region's industrialization agenda, including how ECOWAS member states can diversify their productive base and strengthen local manufacturing capacity."
"The third agenda item is on investment. Ministers will consider the report of the technical committee of the ECOWAS common investment market, a regional framework to harmonize investment rules and promote a more predictable and attractive environment across the region," he added.
According to him, the outcomes of the meeting are expected to support deeper economic integration, improve the region's investment climate, strengthen industrial development and enhance consumer protection across ECOWAS member states.
Regional cross-border consumer protection framework
Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, Simon Kofi, called on ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry to endorse a draft regulation on cross-border consumer protection aimed at strengthening consumer rights and trust in the regional marketplace.
Dr Kofi said the proposed regulation is intended to fulfil ECOWAS's mandate on consumer protection and competition enforcement.
He said the draft instrument builds on a directive adopted by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in 2023 and responds to the growing volume of cross-border and digital trade within the region.
He noted that while intra-regional trade remains below 15 per cent of ECOWAS's total external trade, increased commercial activity across borders and digital platforms has created new opportunities as well as risks, including misleading business practices, unsafe products and unfair digital market conduct.
According to Dr Kofi, the proposed regulation would establish the first harmonised ECOWAS-wide framework for consumer protection in cross-border transactions.
"So regulation is our coordinated response to these emerging challenges. It establishes for the first time in our region an harmonised ECOWAS-wide framework for protecting consumers in cross-border transactions."
"It clearly defines the fundamental consumer rights, including the right to safety, accurate information, fair treatment, privacy, and effective address. It also sets out clear obligations for businesses to ensure transparency, product safety, and responsible conduct in all member states," he stated.
He expressed optimism that ministers would endorse the draft regulation for onward consideration and adoption by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the ECOWAS Parliament.
