The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has officially opened a high-level Validation Workshop for its Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035) in Accra, Ghana. The landmark event, held on May 13, 2025, marks a pivotal step towards promoting safe, orderly, and well-governed labour migration across West Africa.
Delivering the keynote address, Ghana’s Honourable Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to decent work, mobility rights, and deeper regional integration under the ECOWAS framework.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the African Union Commission, and regional social partners. Together, they underscored the critical importance of coordinated migration governance in driving sustainable economic growth and social inclusion in the region.
Anchored in ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol, the 2025–2035 Strategy aims to enhance labour migration governance through data harmonisation, expanded social protection, diaspora engagement, and the promotion of gender-responsive migration frameworks.
Delegates from Member States and technical partners actively participated in discussions, highlighting a collective resolve to transform labour mobility into a key enabler of regional development. Courtesy visits held on the eve of the workshop further reinforced institutional ownership and alignment with national priorities.
The three-day technical meeting is expected to conclude with a consolidated Action Plan, setting a clear roadmap for advancing inclusive labour migration policies and programs across West Africa.
