A significant milestone in West Africa's regional integration efforts was marked in Accra on May 13, 2025, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its technical partners holding the Validation Workshop for the ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035). This event underscored a collective commitment to promoting safe, regular, and rights-based labor mobility across the region.
The session was officially opened by Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Ghana's Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment. He praised the strategy as "a timely opportunity to move from fragmented policies to coordinated regional solutions," highlighting Ghana's leadership in fostering inclusive labor governance.
Representing Professor Fatou Sow Sarr of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng called for "collective commitment to ensure that labour migration serves as a tool for inclusive growth, sustainable development, and regional prosperity, in line with ECOWAS Vision 2050."
Ms. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission of IOM Ghana, Benin and Togo, emphasized the need for harmonized data systems and protection mechanisms for migrant workers.
Ms. Adaeze Emily Molokwu from the African Union Commission and Mr. Guite Diop from the ILO FMM2 Project commended ECOWAS for its leadership. They stressed the importance of evidence-based policymaking and aligning national instruments with regional frameworks to drive sustainable development.
Mr. Joseph Akpan from Nigeria’s Ministry of Labour highlighted the need for a strategy that is "relevant, realistic, and results-oriented," emphasizing shared responsibility among stakeholders.
The workshop followed a virtual pre-validation session on May 6, 2025, gathering over 50 representatives from ECOWAS Member States and other organizations to review the Strategy’s five pillars.
Ahead of this event, high-level courtesy visits were made by the ECOWAS delegation to reinforce political will and technical collaboration across institutions.
Supported by various international agencies including Sida and SDC, this Strategy aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050. It aims to formalize mobility pathways and enhance job-matching mechanisms while focusing on gender equality and youth employment.
At its core, this Strategy embodies governance rooted in accountability and regional solidarity. It calls on Member States to implement integrated national plans through sustained political will and dialogue with civil society. With this initiative, ECOWAS seeks not only to facilitate free movement but also to act as a catalyst for human development in West Africa.
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