People within the ECOWAS sub-region have constituted themselves into groups of non-state actors (NSA) to prepare themselves to reap the benefits of regional integration outside of what politicians do. The Ghana chapter of the non-state actors of ECOWAS opened a workshop in Accra today to launch a survey that will collate data on all non-state actors like NGOs, media, private sector in order to position themselves at playing a leading role in regional integration at the grassroots levels. Assistant Director of Africa and Regional Integration Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Ivy Denoo told Asempa News the idea is to move ECOWAS from “ECOWAS of States” to “ECOWAS of People” for the benefit of the masses. She says governments of ECOWAS states have already integrated to some extent on regional issues and regional policies, but integration of the ECOWAS people is what is lacking. “Our governments can only formulate policies but the real implementation of those policies is by the people because we are the ones who travel for trade, education and tourism within the region,” she said. Mrs. Denoo said it will be to the benefit of people within the ECOWAS sub-region to take up the regional integration course and champion it. Story by Samuel Dowuona/Asempa FM/Ghana