By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana has taken a significant step towards advancing the African Union’s vision of continental integration by hosting a two-day National Dialogue on the AU Free Movement of Persons Protocol in Accra.
The dialogue, themed “Resetting the National Focus Towards the Ratification of the AU Free Movement Protocol”, brought together representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS Commission, GIZ Ghana, ICMPD, IOM Ghana, state institutions, and members of the CSOs Coalition on Migration Ghana, among other stakeholders.
The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, underscored the complexity of migration flows across Africa, driven by economic opportunities, social connections, environmental stress, conflict, and trade routes. He emphasized the importance of effective migration governance to ensure sustainable and humane mobility, noting that intra-African migration far exceeds migration beyond the continent.
“Ghana’s recent implementation of a visa-free policy for all African passport holders is a bold step toward fostering closer ties across the continent,” Terlabi stated.
“Enhanced mobility will facilitate the exchange of skills, boost intra-African trade, and strengthen people-to-people connections, laying the foundation for a truly integrated African community.”
While acknowledging potential challenges, including policy inconsistencies, infrastructural limitations, administrative bottlenecks, and security concerns, the Deputy Minister called for collective, coordinated action to accelerate ratification of the protocol.
The Convener of the CSOs Coalition on Migration Ghana, Mr. Eric Peasah, stressed that the dialogue was not just a government matter but a national one requiring input from civil society, the private sector, and the media.
“We must look beyond security fears and appreciate the wider benefits of integration, including trade, labour mobility, and development opportunities for our youth,” Mr. Peasah said.
The dialogue will also draw lessons from ECOWAS, Rwanda, and the European Union to identify opportunities and challenges in advancing free movement. Stakeholders are expected to produce a roadmap for Ghana’s ratification, highlight key barriers, and outline actionable steps towards implementation within the next two years.
