Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, who made the call, said economic opportunities, social connections, conflicts, trade routes as well as environmental stress were major drivers of migration flows across the continent.
He said data had shown that intra African migration went beyond Africa and stressed effective migration governance to sustain humane mobility.
The National Dialogue was on the theme: “Resetting the National Focus Towards the Ratification of the AU Free Movement
Protocol”.
Over 100 participants, including the representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS Commission, GIZ Ghana, ICMPD, IOM Ghana, MDAs, members of the CCMG, and the Media took part in the national dialogue.
Me Terlabi said the recent implementation of a visa free policy for all African Passport holders by Ghana government was a testament of her preparedness to foster close ties across Africa.
He said the gains of open border outweighed the feared challenges, including security concerns and called for well-tailored efforts to facilitate the ratification process.
Mr Eric Peasah, the Convenor of the CCMG, said the dialogue was to sought input across all stakeholders and to facilitate the ratification of the protocol.
He said: “Our success as a continent depend on how people and services can move freely across borders”.
Mr Peasah stressed the need for AU to leverage on ECOWAS Free Movement to facilitate the ratification process.
He, therefore, pledged the CCMG’s commitment to continue to raise advocacy campaigns among the youth and government officials to increase awareness on the protocol.
He said it was time for all member states to look beyond the security fears and consider the wider benefits of the protocol, and the benefits for national development.
GNA
