At the ongoing 8th Accra Weizo Conference in Ghana, Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu, Director of Private Sector at the ECOWAS Commission, delivered a powerful message on the role of regional cooperation in driving tourism across West Africa.
Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS, Dr. Elumelu emphasized that the commission’s main responsibility is to create an enabling environment for tourism and business across member states. However, he noted that the success of these policies depends largely on how well individual countries implement them through their enforcement agencies, such as immigration and border control.
“The ECOWAS Commission can only do so much,” he said. “It is up to the member states to bring these policies to life and make seamless travel a reality.”
Dr. Elumelu also stressed the importance of upholding the right of residency and the right of establishment within the region. According to him, these two elements are critical in making West Africa a truly connected and tourist-friendly destination.
Tying his message to the conference theme of “Seamless Travel in West Africa: Opportunities and Challenges,” he pointed out that tourism cannot thrive without proper standards. He urged countries to prioritize the development of shared tourism guidelines and quality benchmarks across the region.
In closing, he encouraged participants to embrace the region’s cultural and ethnic diversity, describing it not as a weakness but a powerful asset that can enrich the West African tourism experience.
