Accra, Ghana – The corridors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration buzzed with activity on Thursday, January 11th, 2024, as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice held a vital sensitization program. This initiative, organized in collaboration with the Ministry, aimed to bridge the gap between the Court and the citizens it serves, fostering a deeper understanding of its role in the region.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering support for the ECOWAS Court, praising its impact on legal harmonization, upholding the rule of law, and promoting human rights within the community. He emphasized the program’s significance in demystifying the Court’s mandate and functions, empowering individuals to utilize its mechanisms.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Apraku Nketia, Executive Assistant to the President of the ECOWAS Court, underscored the annual nature of the program and its focus on engaging citizens with the Court’s existence and services. He expressed his hope that participants would leave with a clear understanding of the Court’s resources and the avenues it offers for seeking legal redress.
The event drew a diverse audience, including representatives from government ministries, departments, and agencies, alongside individuals from non-governmental organizations. This broad range reflected the Court’s far-reaching impact and its commitment to serving all corners of the community.
This wasn’t the only outreach effort this week. Earlier, the ECOWAS Court reached out to future legal minds, holding similar programs for law students at the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. By engaging both the established legal community and the next generation of practitioners, the Court is laying the groundwork for a future where access to justice thrives across West Africa.