Harness opportunities in innovation to drive regional integration – ECOWAS  

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged Ghanaian students to harness opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship to drive regional integration and development.

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Mr Mohammed Lawan Gana, said the youth were central to achieving the bloc’s Vision 2050 of a peaceful, prosperous and fully integrated West Africa.

He made the call at an engagement with students of Central University in Accra Friday as part of activities marking ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary.

Speaking on the theme: ‘ECOWAS at 50: From Founders’ vision to Youth Action,’ Mr Gana said the vision was anchored on a transition from an “ECOWAS of states” to an “ECOWAS of people.”

He noted that the agenda was being pursued through key pillars, including peace and security, governance and rule of law, economic integration, sustainable development, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mr Gana emphasised the need to invest in the youth, describing them as critical to the region’s future.

“The youth in West Africa are not docile. They are vibrant, and you can see the entrepreneurship in them even without encouragement,” he said.

“Why should we be looking at Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg? We have them here. It is just for us to give them the encouragement,” he added.

The ECOWAS Representative cited initiatives such as an artificial intelligence (AI) training programme that benefited about 200 students at the University of Ghana Business School, and highlighted the Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI), which Ghana is expected to host in 2027.

He also disclosed plans for ECOWAS to partner Central University to support its innovation drive, as part of efforts to position the youth to effectively contribute to the blocs development.

Mr Gana urged students to position themselves as key actors in achieving “Vision 2050”, calling on stakeholders to invest in the youth to help address current challenges facing the region.

The Dean of the Central Business School at the university, Professor Evans Sokro, commended ECOWAS for deliberately involving young people in its activities and encouraged students to take advantage of such opportunities.

BY ABIGAIL ANNOH

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24-Hour Economy Secretariat moves to modernise cooperative sector

BY BENARD BENGHAN

The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme Secretariat has initiated moves to develop a new legal framework to modernise Ghana’s cooperative sector and drive structural transformation.

A joint committee has been constituted to draft a Cooperative Legislation Bill for submission to Parliament and subsequent assent by President John Dramani Mahama.

The proposed framework seeks to replace outdated laws and align the sector with current economic and institutional realities.

The development was disclosed at a National Stakeholder Forum on Cooperative Development held in Accra last Thursday, on the theme: ‘Cooperatives as a Pathway to Sustainable and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development in Ghana.’

Opening the forum, the Presidential Advisor to the Secretariat, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, highlighted the importance of cooperatives in revitalising key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He said the Secretariat was collaborating with cooperative associations to mobilise funding and technical support to revive and modernise cooperative systems, improve access to finance and strengthen operational capacity.

Mr Tanoh noted that despite their potential to empower women, youth and small businesses, cooperatives face challenges, including limited access to finance, weak institutional support and an outdated legal framework over 58 years old.

He stressed the need for urgent reforms, stating that access to capital was critical for growth.

He added that the proposed reforms would enhance farmer participation across production, processing and marketing value chains, and enable cooperatives to take ownership of processing infrastructure.

“A more continuous production approach is expected to maximise asset utilisation and support job creation, while circular production models will help convert by-products into additional revenue streams,” he said.

Mr Tanoh further indicated that the reforms would improve access to affordable financing, strengthen technical support and enhance value chain integration.

He said mechanisms such as a Solidarity Fund would help cushion cooperatives against production and market shocks, while structured market systems would improve access and price stability.

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, underscored the role of cooperatives in boosting aquaculture, creating jobs and promoting exports.

The Chief Director at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hamidu Adakruogu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the regulatory environment and promoting decent work, particularly for the youth.

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