By Lamin B. Darboe
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has concluded a five-day high-level regional training workshop on responsible tourism and the free movement of persons, held in Banjul, The Gambia.
This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the ECOTOUR Regional Policy (2021–2030), reinforcing the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to harnessing tourism as a catalyst for economic integration, job creation, and sustainable development across West Africa.
In his remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, the Director for Private Sector, Dr Anthony ELUMELU, stressed the need for coherent policy implementation, grounded in practical action that benefits citizens—particularly youth and women—while enhancing regional competitiveness through harmonised standards and cross-border collaboration.
Also addressing the closing ceremony, the Director of Regional Integration and Head of the ECOWAS National Office in The Gambia, Mrs. Ndeye Tabara Touray, commended the strong spirit of partnership displayed throughout the training. She emphasised the centrality of inclusive engagement and sustained institutional coordination in driving a people-center integration agenda: “This training has fostered collaboration among all actors and reflects our shared goal of inclusive development.”
Participants emphasised the importance of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to dismantling existing barriers to mobility, enterprise growth, and professional development— particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The inclusion of immigration and border authorities in future capacity-building efforts was identified as a critical lever for accelerating the practical implementation of regional integration protocols.
Participants were awarded certificates of completion, recognising their active engagement and successful participation in the regional training.
The programme underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to capacity building and professional development in the tourism sector, equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills to advance regional tourism integration and facilitate the effective implementation of the ECOTOUR Policy.
