The Executive and State Institutions as Primary Actors in Articulating Ghana’s Integration Policies in West Africa: Challenges and the Way Forward

Abstract

Regional integration generally involves a somewhat complex web of cooperation between countries within a given geographical area. It demands harmonization of policies in sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructural development as well as fiscal and monetary policies of member states. Ensuring stability and sustainable economic growth and development within the integrating area has often been the prime objective of regional integration. However, decision making powers completely reside with national governments of member states as well as commitment to implementing regional programmes. Despite the crucial role of the executive and related institutions in promoting regional integration, they are often tempted to pursue what suit them. It is in line with this, that this paper examines the following issues, thus, what role has the government of Ghana played so far in the regional integration project in West Africa? What institutions under the Executive have roles to play and what strategies do they have in that respect? How are the activities of the various institutions coordinated? What challenges exist and what is the way forward?