ECOWAS to launch Ghana-Togo border info centres to tackle corruption

ECOWAS will launch two pilot Border Information Centres (BIC) for Ghana and Togo tomorrow Thursday August 4, 2011 to check corrupt practices during trade movements at the borders of both countries.

The objective is to reduce transport costs, eliminate delays in paperwork processing, prevent duplicative processes or procedures, and improve collaboration/coordination of enforcement agencies.

The pilot centres, an initiative of the USAID, will also help boost ECOWAS’ trade liberalisation scheme (ETLS), a regional mechanism for improving intra-community trade in locally produced goods towards boosting the regional economy, stimulating employment and thereby contributing to the overall development of the region.

“With the support and close collaboration of the Governments of Ghana and Togo, ECOWAS, UEMOA, and private sector companies engaged in trade across the region, and around the world, the USAID Trade Hub developed the pilot initiative to tackle the primary cause of delays and corruption in West African cross-border movements,” said ECOWAS in a statement August 2, 2011.

The two centres will be located at Aflao (Ghana) and Kodzoviakopé (Togo), the regional body said.

The launch will take place in an open-air venue at Aflao at the Ghana-Togo border and Ministers of State of Ghana and Togo, ECOWAS and UEMOA representatives, the US Ambassador to Togo as well as representatives of Foreign Investors, Borderless Alliance, USAID staff and implementing partners, are expected at the occasion, ECOWAS indicated.

Similar centres are envisaged at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border at Paga-Dakola  and at the Senegal-Mali border at Kidira, according to ECOWAS.

By Ekow Quandzie