Peace And Security

1.0       Opening

            1.1       Dr. Fatai Adeyemi, the Executive Secretary of the Co-Prosperity Alliance Zone (COPAZ) in his opening remarks underscored the importance of peace and security to the economic development of the sub-region.

            1.2       He also stressed that peace and security in the zone are fundamental and indispensable factors for a successful integration of people, harmonious economic development as well as poverty alleviation and prosperity of our people

            1.3       The Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Ambassador Lawrence Satuh in his welcome address recalled among other issues the common historical, economic and cultural ties that have characterized the alliance between Member States. He also urged the Alliance to include political parties, the media and civil society in their future deliberations and wished participants a very fruitful meeting.

2.0       Election of bureau and adoption of the work programme

            2.1       The composition of the bureau was follows:

• Chairman: NIGERIA
• Rapporteurs: TOGO and GHANA

            2.2       After the election of the bureau, the Agenda and Work programme were adopted. Benin Republic was absent

            2.3       The lists of participants are attached as Annex 1

3.0       Presentation of Guidance paper by Executive Secretariat

            3.1       The Executive Secretariat in its presentation stressed the fact that there can be no socio-economic and cultural development, no genuine human Integration, and no alleviation of poverty, no lasting prosperity in conditions of organized crime, Insecurity, disharmony and rancor. Indeed, peace and security are essential prerequisites for the actualization of any cooperative endeavor.

            3.2       The Secretariat also emphasized that it is against this backdrop that the Council of Heads of State of COPAZ in a communiqué issued at the end of their Summit held in Kara, TOGO on the 21 July 2009 directed the Technical Support Facility to among others, convene a meeting of Ministers in charge of “issues concerning the security situation and the rise in all forms of crime in order to reactivate the quadripartite agreement of 10 December 1984 and take the necessary measures to stem this plague that is “annihilating the developmental effort of the COPAZ countries”. It was indicated that the experts meeting is therefore a precursor to the Ministerial Meeting called for by our Head of States and is expected to prepare a document recommending urgent and sustainable strategies aimed at addressing peace and security challenges in the COPAZ region.

            3.3 The Secretariat identified factors militating against the prevalence of peace and security of persons and goods within the Alliance Zone as follows:

• Organised crimes such as drug trafficking, cyber fraud, money laundering, highway armed robbery, terrorism and circulation of small arms and light weapons
• Smuggling of goods across borders
• Human trafficking
• Conflicts at border zones
• Impediment to free movement of persons, goods and services
• Corruption

4.0       Country Presentations

            4.1       The participating countries in their presentations reiterated the critical role of peace and security in the Integration process of member states and commented on the considerable Increase in organized crime in the sub region.

            4.2       Issues regarding human trafficking and its new dimensions were also discussed. It was emphasized that the Togolese Government has put in place policies to educate the citizenry on the culture of peace and non violence for social development and gender equality.

            4.3       Making reference to the Quadripartite Agreement of 10th December 1984, the meeting reiterated that all Member States have signed the Agreement and that with regard to the article that refers to the handing over of criminals arrested in one state to the other, the agreement was being enforced. This agreement has enabled Member State to effectively fight crime and has reduced protracted litigations within the zone.

            4.4       The meeting also observed that local residents at border towns are likely to be used by commercial traders in committing cross border crimes.

            4.5       On the issue of money laundering, the meeting was informed that Ghana has imposed a limit on the amount of currency to be allowed into Ghana and suggested that travellers within the zone should provide evidence of receipt covering any amount carried across borders. Terrorism financing was also identified and linked to money laundering.

            4.6       Counterfeit goods especially textiles were also identified as an area of concern. Under invoicing, the abuse of the temporary vehicle importation facilities and the smuggle line of drugs and small arms are some of the challenges that need to be addressed. It was also noted that goods declared for transit are usually offloaded at the wrong destination within Member States.

            4.7       Cyber Fraud was observed to be on the ascendency in the Alliance Zone and thus agreed that the exchange of information and expertise would help curtail the acceleration of such sophisticated crimes.

            4.8       With regard to small arms, some of which are manufactured locally, the meeting recognized that they contribute to insecurity in member states. To this end, to ensure a better monitoring and control within the framework of relevant conventions, it is imperative that manufacturers be registered and given local license to operate. The mechanisms to tackle the menace of the smuggling of light weapons should be adapted to suit the situation of COPAZ.

            4.9       A brief background on the role of COPAZ and ECOWAS in the integration process was presented. It was reiterated that COPAZ should complement the activities of ECOWAS in fast tracking the integration process.

            4.10     It also emerged that ECOWAS has ratified the protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services and have taken steps to modernize eight (8) joint border posts as a pilot project.

5.0       Recommendations.

            5.1.      Establishment of concrete and measurable co-operation amongst the law enforcement agencies;

• encourage exchange of information and joint operation by security personnel such as Immigration, Army, Customs and Police;
• hold periodic meetings of relevant law enforcement agencies;
• promote regular joint patrols of Member States security forces in the identified red zones as a deterrent measure;

5.2       Establishment of Bilateral Committees;

• establish vigilante groups at the border community level;
• hold meetings with the private sector and non-governmental organizations;
• schedule meetings with heads of institutions, opinion leaders and local communities for sensitization and awareness campaign on the fundamental role of peace and security within the zone;

5.3       Promote a legal framework favourable to peace and security;

• establish Inter-Parliamentary Committee to influence politicians and the general public on legislations relating to peace and security;
• urge Member Countries to cooperate in the practical Implementation of existing legislations that already addresses Integration;
• encourage Benin and Nigeria to also sign the Memorandum of Understanding which was concluded in October 2009 between Ghana and Togo relating to Security Co-operation;
• propose the extension of the bilateral Agreements on Cross Border Child Trafficking between Nigeria a nd Benin s igned i n 2005 to Include Togo and Ghana;
• establish in Member Countries legislation that will oblige communication companies to register subscribers;
• promote the enactment of specific legislation in order to harmonise the legal framework in Member Countries;

5.4       Promotion of enlightenment programmes;

• with regards to the quadripartite agreement signed on the 10th of December, 1984 by the Heads of State of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo, regular meetings of heads of the National INTERPOL Head office are to be arranged by the COPAZ Executive Secretary within six months of this meeting;
• these subsequent meetings must include other security services such as the Military, Police, Customs and Immigration Services;
• identify and pursue an action oriented agenda and solicit assistance giving time lines and periodic assessment;
• involve the media and civil society in publicity and mobilization for the public good and safety;

5.5       Involvement of organized private sector in COPAZ Countries to support the aforementioned initiatives.

Accra, Ghana

29 October, 2010